Sancocho Venezolano (Venezuelan Beef and Root Vegetable Soup)
In short: A weekend soup of beef on the bone with cassava, potato, pumpkin, corn on the cob and plantain, finished with cilantro and lime. It takes about 2 h 35 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 2 h 5 min
- Total
- 2 h 35 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 660 kcal
Sancocho is the Venezuelan soup for a long, lazy weekend lunch, cooked in one big pot and served in deep bowls. Beef ribs or chicken simmer with starchy roots such as cassava, yam and potato, plus pumpkin, corn on the cob and green plantain, all in a golden, lightly thickened broth. A squeeze of lime and a handful of cilantro finish it, and arepas or white rice go on the side.
Instructions
- Put the beef, water, onion, bell pepper, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper in a large pot. Bring to a boil, skim off the foam, then cover and simmer gently for 1 hour 15 minutes, until the beef is nearly tender.
- Add the cassava, yam and plantains and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add the potatoes, pumpkin and corn and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender.
- Remove the onion and pepper pieces. Mash a few pieces of pumpkin against the side of the pot to thicken the broth slightly.
- Stir in the cilantro, taste and adjust the salt. Serve in deep bowls with lime wedges, and with arepas or white rice on the side.
Tips
- Venezuelan cooks use roots such as ñame, ocumo and apio, but any starchy mix works: cassava, yam, sweet potato, taro or potatoes. Add the firmest roots first and the softer ones later.
- Chicken thighs can replace the beef, or you can mix both. Chicken needs only about 30 minutes before the vegetables go in.
Questions and answers
How is Venezuelan sancocho different from Colombian sancocho?
Both are meat and root vegetable soups. Colombian versions commonly use chicken and green plantain, while Venezuelan versions often use beef ribs and a mix of roots such as yam and cassava.
Can I freeze sancocho?
Yes, for up to 3 months. The potatoes and cassava soften a little, so the texture changes slightly, but the flavor holds.
What do you serve with sancocho?
White rice, arepas, sliced avocado and lime. A little hot sauce is welcome for those who like heat.
How long does it take to make Sancocho Venezolano (Venezuelan Beef and Root Vegetable Soup)?
About 2 h 35 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 2 h 5 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Sancocho Venezolano (Venezuelan Beef and Root Vegetable Soup)?
About 660 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 90 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 660 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 90 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 9 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 950 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
