Heart-Healthy Arepa with Shredded Beef and Cheese
Elevate your mealtime with this Heart-Healthy Arepa with Shredded Beef and Cheese—a lighter spin on a traditional Latin American favorite. Featuring crispy, golden arepas made from pre-cooked cornmeal and olive oil, this recipe cuts back on saturated fats while maintaining flavor and texture. Tender, lean beef is slow-simmered with aromatic spices like cumin, garlic, and onion, creating a mouthwatering filling that's both nutritious and satisfying. Topped with light shredded mozzarella cheese and fresh cilantro, these stuffed arepas deliver a perfect balance of indulgence and wellness. Ideal for family dinners or gatherings, this protein-packed, low-sodium dish is a heart-smart way to embrace comfort food. Ready in under 2.5 hours, it’s the ultimate homemade treat to savor guilt-free! Perfectly suited for searches on healthy Latin recipes, shredded beef arepas, and easy heart-healthy meals.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups pre-cooked cornmeal (harina PAN or masarepa)
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 pound lean beef (such as flank steak)
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup light shredded mozzarella cheese
- 0.25 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
To prepare the arepa dough, combine pre-cooked cornmeal, warm water, olive oil, and salt in a large bowl. Mix until smooth, and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the dough to absorb the water.
Preheat a skillet over medium heat. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions and shape each portion into a ball, then flatten into discs about 1/2-inch thick.
Add a small amount of olive oil to the skillet. Cook the arepas for about 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy on the outside. Remove from heat and set aside.
For the shredded beef, season the beef with salt and black pepper. In a large pot, brown the beef on all sides over medium-high heat, then remove from the pot.
In the same pot, add onions, garlic, and red bell pepper, sautéing until the onions are translucent. Add cumin and stir well.
Return the beef to the pot, add the low-sodium beef broth, cover, and simmer on low heat for about 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is tender and easily shreddable.
Remove the beef from the pot, letting it cool slightly before shredding it with two forks.
To assemble, slice open the arepas and stuff them with shredded beef, light mozzarella cheese, and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Serve immediately while warm and enjoy the heart-healthy arepas.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
541 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 18.7 g | 24% | |
| Saturated Fat | 6.7 g | 34% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 94 mg | 31% | |
| Sodium | 590 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54.0 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 5.7 g | 20% | |
| Total Sugars | 4.2 g | ||
| Protein | 44.6 g | 89% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 265 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 6.7 mg | 37% | |
| Potassium | 765 mg | 16% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
