Pabellón Criollo is considered the national dish of Venezuela and represents the country’s culinary identity. It is a combination of shredded beef, white rice, black beans and fried sweet plantains, each element cooked separately and served together on one plate. The contrast of flavors and textures makes it very satisfying, from savory beef to slightly sweet plantains. This version keeps the traditional composition while making it practical for home cooking.
😌 Difficulty: Medium
⏱️ Preparation time: 25 min
🔥 Cooking time: 1 hour
⏳ Total time: 1 hour 25 min
👥 Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the beef:
- 500 g beef (flank or similar cut)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 200 ml water or beef broth
- salt and black pepper
For the rice:
- 2 cups white rice
- 4 cups water
- salt
For the beans:
- 1 can black beans (400 g)
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- salt
For the plantains:
- 2 ripe plantains (yellow with black spots)
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Cook the rice in salted water until fluffy, then set aside.
- In a pot, cook beef with water or broth for about 40 minutes until tender.
- Remove and shred using two forks.
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Add onion and cook until soft.
- Add garlic and cook briefly.
- Add tomato, paprika and cumin.
- Return shredded beef to the pan and mix well.
- Simmer for 10 minutes until flavorful.
- In another pan, heat oil and cook garlic.
- Add black beans and simmer for 5-10 minutes.
- Slice plantains diagonally.
- Fry until golden and caramelized.
- Serve everything on one plate in sections: rice, beans, beef and plantains.
SpinThatCuisine Tip 💡
Do not mix everything together – serving each component separately on the plate is what makes this dish visually and traditionally correct.