Djiboutian Beef Suqaar
A flavorful and comforting dish of tender beef cubes simmered with aromatic vegetables and spices, often served with rice or flatbread. Suqaar is a staple in Djiboutian households, known for its rich gravy and satisfying taste.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Beef(sirloin or other stewing cut, cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 3 tbsp Vegetable oil
- 1 medium Onion(thinly sliced)
- 4 cloves Garlic cloves(minced)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(diced)
- 2 medium Carrots(peeled and sliced)
- 2 medium Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 1 cup Beef broth(more as needed)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Coriander
- 0.5 tsp Turmeric
- 0.25 tsp Chili powder(optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and diced green bell pepper. Sauté for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- 3
Add the cubed beef to the pot and brown it on all sides. This should take about 7-10 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
- 5
Add the sliced carrots and cubed potatoes to the pot. Pour in the beef broth. Bring the mixture to a boil.
- 6
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let the suqaar simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Stir occasionally.
- 7
If the liquid has evaporated too much, add a little more beef broth or water to create a nice gravy. If it's too thin, simmer uncovered for a few minutes to thicken.
- 8
Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- 9
Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Ensure the beef is cut into uniform cubes for even cooking.
- ✓This dish is excellent served over rice, pasta, or with flatbread like lahoh.
- ✓For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the beef in the spices for 30 minutes before cooking.
🔄 Variations
- Use lamb or chicken instead of beef.
- Add other vegetables like zucchini or peas.