Indio Viejo

Name: Indio Viejo
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 80 min
Total time: 100 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Nicaraguan
Ingredients: 700g beef flank steak; 6 corn tortillas, torn into pieces; 2 ripe tomatoes, chopped; 1 large onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1/4 cup sour orange juice (or mix of orange and lime); 2 tbsp vegetable oil; Fresh mint leaves; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Salt and pepper; 1 litre beef broth

Indio Viejo (EEN-dee-oh vee-EH-hoh)

Old Indian Stew

⏱ Prep Time 1.5 hours

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 406 kcal

A thick, savory stew made from shredded beef cooked in a masa-thickened broth with tomatoes, onions, peppers, and sour orange juice.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 32.0g

Carbs 38.0g

Fat 14.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large pot wooden spoon cutting board

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep clay bowl

Garnishes: fresh mint, cilantro

Accompaniments: white rice, tortilla

Ingredients

700g beef flank steak
6 corn tortillas, torn into pieces
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 large onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup sour orange juice (or mix of orange and lime)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Fresh mint leaves
Fresh cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 litre beef broth

Instructions

1
Boil beef in salted water until very tender, about one hour. Reserve the broth. Shred the beef finely with two forks.
2
Soak torn tortillas in one cup of reserved broth until soft, then blend into a smooth paste to use as thickener.
3
Heat oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper, and tomatoes until softened, about 8 minutes.
4
Add shredded beef, tortilla paste, remaining broth, and sour orange juice. Stir well and simmer 20 minutes until thick.
5
Stir in fresh mint and cilantro. The stew should be thick enough to hold its shape slightly on a spoon. Season to taste.

💡

Did You Know?

Legend says indio viejo was invented to hide beef from Spanish colonizers by disguising it in a thick, unrecognizable stew.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
wooden spoon
cutting board

Garnishing

fresh mint, cilantro

Accompaniments

white rice, tortilla

The Story Behind Indio Viejo

Indio viejo, meaning old Indian, is one of Nicaragua's most ancient dishes, with roots in pre-Columbian indigenous cooking. The dish uses masa (corn dough) to thicken a savory beef stew, a technique that predates European contact. According to popular legend, indigenous people created this thick stew to conceal meat from Spanish colonizers. The use of sour orange juice, fresh mint, and corn masa gives indio viejo its distinctive character. It remains a fixture at Nicaraguan celebrations and family tables, connecting modern diners to their indigenous heritage.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch, family gatherings 📜 Origins: Pre-Columbian indigenous

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