Subanik

Name: Subanik
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 165 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Guatemalan
Ingredients: 500g chicken pieces; 300g beef stew meat, cubed; 300g turkey pieces; 4 dried guaque chiles; 3 dried pasa chiles; 4 Roma tomatoes; 4 tomatillos, husked; 1 onion, quartered; 5 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp pepitas, toasted; 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted; 1 cinnamon stick; 3 cloves; Banana leaves for wrapping; Salt

Subanik (soo-bah-NEEK)

Three-Meat Maya Stew

⏱ Prep Time 45 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 456 kcal

A ceremonial Maya stew combining chicken, beef, and turkey in a deeply complex sauce of multiple dried chiles, toasted spices, and tomatoes, wrapped and steamed in banana leaves.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 38.0g

Carbs 22.0g

Fat 24.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large steamer pot blender comal banana leaves

Presentation Guide

Vessel: banana leaf (unwrapped at table)

Garnishes: toasted sesame seeds

Accompaniments: corn tortillas, rice

Ingredients

500g chicken pieces
300g beef stew meat, cubed
300g turkey pieces
4 dried guaque chiles
3 dried pasa chiles
4 Roma tomatoes
4 tomatillos, husked
1 onion, quartered
5 cloves garlic
2 tbsp pepitas, toasted
1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
1 cinnamon stick
3 cloves
Banana leaves for wrapping
Salt

Instructions

1
Toast all dried chiles on a comal until fragrant. Soak in hot water 20 min.
2
Roast tomatoes, tomatillos, onion, and garlic on the comal until well charred.
3
Blend soaked chiles, roasted vegetables, pepitas, sesame seeds, cinnamon, and cloves with soaking liquid until very smooth.
4
Combine all three meats in a large bowl. Pour sauce over and toss to coat evenly.
5
Soften banana leaves over a flame. Place meat and sauce in large banana leaf parcels, wrapping tightly.
6
Steam parcels for 2 hours until meats are very tender and sauce has thickened. Unwrap at the table.

💡

Did You Know?

Subanik is considered the ultimate test of a Guatemalan Maya cook's abilities — the sauce requires perfect balance of at least five different chiles.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large steamer pot
blender
comal
banana leaves

Garnishing

toasted sesame seeds

Accompaniments

corn tortillas, rice

The Story Behind Subanik

Subanik is one of Guatemala's most ancient ceremonial dishes, reserved for weddings and celebrations in the K'iche' Maya communities of the western highlands. The three-meat combination represents abundance and generosity. Steaming in banana leaves is a pre-Columbian cooking technique that preserves all the flavors in a sealed package.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed weddings, major celebrations 📜 Origins: Pre-Columbian Maya

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