Charquicán is a traditional Chilean dish with indigenous roots, pre-dating the Spaniard invasion. It is a hearty stew made with various ingredients, including meat, vegetables, and potatoes. It’s believed to be one of the oldest Chilean dishes still cooked in many households.
Charquicán is a very seasonal dish in Chile. If it’s summer and in-season, green beans, peas, and corn are added. It is the same with other vegetables. It is still cooked with pumpkin and always faithful potatoes if it is winter.
The name derives from the use of jerky in the preparation. Charqui (jerky) is any smoked and dried meat. It could be horse jerky, beef, or even fish. Before refrigerators were popular, this is how meat was preserved. Making it with fresh beef is more common, but the name remains.
Tips for a delicious Charquicán:
I live in the US. What pumpkin can I use in the charquicán?
I use half and half butternut and canned pumpkin. The kabocha, turban, and Hubbard are similar to the Chilean, but they are not easy to get. In farmer markets, you have more options. And in Latin or Asian supermarkets, you find varieties similar to Chilean.
How do I make charquicán with charqui?
Preheat oven to 350F or 180C. Place the charqui distributed in an oven tin. Cook for 15 minutes. Take it out of the range. When you can touch it, crumble and throw away any tough piece. Chop the rest finely. Add the meat to the recipe in the same step, but do not brown. Note: Many types of jerky; some are very salty, and you must wash them before putting them in the oven.
What potatoes do you recommend in the US?
Any potato works, but if I can choose, I prefer red potatoes.
Can I make it with other meats or without?
You can use ground chicken or turkey. Or lamb in small cubes. In Chile, a typical vegetarian version of charquicán is made with Cochayuyo, our local seaweed. Now available in the US.
You may also be interested in the recipe: Chilean Beef Stew.
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Chilean Charquican
One of the oldest Chilean dishes on record.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6
Ingredients
- 1 small yellow onion, diced small
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups (1/2 pound) of winter squash (kabocha, butternut, or similar), peeled, cubed
- 5 red potatoes, peeled, cubed
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
- pinch of cumin
- 2 cup vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup each corn, green peas, or green beans (frozen is fine)
- salt, pepper, oil
- 6 eggs, to serve, optional
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, put one tablespoon of oil. Add the onion and cook for 6-8 minutes, until soft.
- Add the meat and saute for 6 minutes.
- Add the squash, potatoes, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, and paprika. Stir. Add the broth and cook cover for 15 minutes, simmering. Reduce the heat if need it.
- With a fork, mash the potatoes and squash.
- Add corn, peas, and green beans. Stir and cook for 3-4 minutes until hot.
- Fried the eggs if using.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve hot with a fried egg on top.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stove-cooked
- Cuisine: Chilean
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6.3 g
- Sodium: 353 mg
- Fat: 15.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40.8 g
- Fiber: 5.3 g
- Protein: 26.5 g
Love charquicán! Your ‘delicious’ picture and recipe make me want to prepare it today. I feel that is a perfect dish for the cool weather we’re having now. Did you know that the word jerky comes from charqui? Have a great day Pilar!
Yes, I knew. Thanks for commenting and please try the recipe and let me know what you think.
The traditional Chilean dish isn’t prepared with eggs or frozen food. You posted on your ingredients “ground beef”, but used minced instead. The traditional dish its made with minced beef or llama jerky. Often people add carrots to the dish (not mentioned on your recipe), and french cut style green beans besides the pees. Lastly, there’s no reason to smash the potatoes if you cook them long enough. Cheers!
Cheers! Thanks for commenting.
Made this tonight and everyone loved it including my Chilean son in law. Thank you!
Fabulous!! Congrats.
helllo!
Hello!
Hi Pilar, I was wondering if there is any particular type of squash that it normally uses? Could I use butternut?
I love your web site–I come here frequently to find recipes to make for my husband, who is Chilean! 🙂
I usually mix 50/50 pumpkin (any orange pumpkin or canned puree) and butternut. Just butternut is too sweet.