Sancocho

Name: Sancocho
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 95 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Colombian
Ingredients: 1.5kg chicken pieces (bone-in); 500g yuca, peeled and chunked; 2 green plantains, peeled and chunked; 4 ears corn, halved; 500g potatoes, peeled and quartered; 2 onions, quartered; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 bunch cilantro; 2 tsp cumin; 2 scallions; 3L water or broth; Salt and pepper; Lime wedges, rice, avocado for serving

Sancocho (sahn-KOH-choh)

Hearty Meat and Root Vegetable Stew

⏱ Prep Time 25 min

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 471 kcal

A massive, soul-warming Colombian stew loaded with chicken, yuca, plantain, corn, and potatoes in a rich broth seasoned with cilantro and cumin.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 32.0g

Carbs 52.0g

Fat 15.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

very large pot cutting board sharp knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: large deep bowl

Garnishes: cilantro, lime wedges

Accompaniments: white rice, avocado, aji sauce

Ingredients

1.5kg chicken pieces (bone-in)
500g yuca, peeled and chunked
2 green plantains, peeled and chunked
4 ears corn, halved
500g potatoes, peeled and quartered
2 onions, quartered
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch cilantro
2 tsp cumin
2 scallions
3L water or broth
Salt and pepper
Lime wedges, rice, avocado for serving

Instructions

1
Bring water to a boil. Add chicken, onion, garlic, scallions, and cumin. Simmer 30 min, skimming foam.
2
Add yuca and green plantain. Cook 20 min.
3
Add potatoes and corn. Simmer 20 min more until all vegetables are tender.
4
Add chopped cilantro, season generously with salt and pepper.
5
Serve in large bowls with lime wedges, white rice on the side, and avocado slices.

💡

Did You Know?

Sancocho is Colombia's ultimate hangover cure — it's practically prescribed after a night of aguardiente.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

very large pot
cutting board
sharp knife

Garnishing

cilantro, lime wedges

Accompaniments

white rice, avocado, aji sauce

The Story Behind Sancocho

Sancocho fuses indigenous root-vegetable stews with Spanish colonial one-pot cooking traditions. Every Colombian region has its own version — coastal sancocho uses fish, while Andean versions favor chicken or beef. The Sunday family sancocho remains a sacred social ritual across the country.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed sunday family lunch 📜 Origins: Colonial era

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