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Carne Seca served with rice and fresh cilantro
Authentic Brazilian Carne Seca, flavorful dried beef dish

Carne Seca: Brazilian Cured Beef

Author: Flavelo
Recipes Main Courses
Carne Seca ('dried meat') is an invention of the Brazilian 'sertão' (arid backcountry) from the days before refrigerators. Beef is salted and sun-dried, concentrating flavors and giving it a unique, chewy-resilient texture. Before cooking, the salt must be soaked out—this dish is about patience, but the result is an intense beef experience you can't get from fresh meat.
🕒 Prep Time 1 day
🍳 Cook Time 1 hr 10 mins
⌛ Total Time 1 day 1 hr 10 mins
🍽️ Servings 4 servings
🔥 Calories 450 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Brazilian

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Large Bowl: For soaking.
  • Pressure Cooker (optional): For faster tenderizing.

Instructions

1 ✓

The most important step: Cut meat into 2-inch cubes and soak in cold water for at least 24 hours. Change the water 3-4 times!

Tip: Equalizing salt concentration (diffusion) takes time. If you don't change the water, the salt has nowhere to go.
2 ✓

Place meat in fresh water and boil until tender (30-40 mins in pressure cooker, 1.5-2 hours in pot). It's ready when it can be shredded with a fork.

Tip: Salting toughens meat fibers (dehydration), so long cooking is needed for rehydration.
3 ✓

Drain, trim off excess fat (to taste), and shred into bite-sized pieces or strands.

4 ✓

Heat oil in a skillet and sauté onion until translucent. Add the meat and fry until edges are crispy.

Tip: This 'frying' phase gives the final texture: soft inside, crispy outside.
5 ✓

Add garlic and tomatoes, toss for 2-3 minutes. Finish with fresh cilantro.

Tip: Don't overcook the tomatoes; keep them chunky.
6 ✓

Serve with white rice and black beans (Feijoada style).

Recipe FAQ

The dish is still too salty. What should I do?
Carne Seca is very salty. If it still tastes salty after soaking, cook it with potatoes—the potatoes will 'draw out' salt from the broth (osmosis).

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Carne Seca (dried, salted beef) or Jerky Beef
  • 2 tbsp Oil or Butter
  • 1 large Onion (sliced)
  • 2 cloves Garlic (crushed)
  • 2 medium Tomatoes (diced)
  • 1 bunch Fresh Cilantro
  • 4 servings Cooked Rice (side)