Main Course · Dinner · Latin American ·

Spiced Guatemalan Hilachas with Cilantro Rice

Name: Spiced Guatemalan Hilachas with Cilantro Rice
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 240 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Beef flank steak, 1 lb; Water, 4 cups; Onion, quartered, 1; Garlic cloves, smashed, 3; Salt, To taste; Ripe tomatoes, chopped, 4; Onion, chopped, 1; Bell pepper, chopped, 1; Garlic cloves, minced, 2; Ground cumin, 1 tsp; Paprika, 1 tsp; Salt and pepper, To taste; Long-grain rice, 1 1/2 cups; Chicken broth, 3 cups; Fresh cilantro, chopped, 1/4 cup; Olive oil, 1 tbsp; Salt, To taste; Fresh cilantro leaves, 1/4 cup; Lime wedges

Hilachas is a traditional Guatemalan dish featuring tender shredded beef simmered in a savory tomato and vegetable sauce, enriched with spices. This recipe pairs it with fragrant cilantro rice for a c

4.9(822 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·August 4, 2025

Spiced Guatemalan Hilachas with Cilantro Rice — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h

Cook

3 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Hilachas

For the Tomato Sauce

For the Cilantro Rice

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 415 kcal
Protein: 26.3 g
Carbs: 30.9 g
Fat: 20.9 g
Fiber: 3.2 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1660 kcal
Protein: 105.3 g
Carbs: 123.4 g
Fat: 83.7 g
Fiber: 12.9 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Beef flank steak 1 lb	960	88	0	66	0
Water 4 cups	0	0	0	0	0
Onion, quartered 1	44	1.2	10.3	0.1	1.9
Garlic cloves, smashed 3	13	0.6	2.9	0	0.2
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Ripe tomatoes, chopped 4	88	4	19.2	1	4.8
Onion, chopped 1	44	1.2	10.3	0.1	1.9
Bell pepper, chopped 1	24	1	6	0.2	2
Garlic cloves, minced 2	9	0.4	1.9	0	0.1
Ground cumin 1 tsp	8	0.4	0.9	0.5	0.2
Paprika 1 tsp	6	0.3	1.4	0.3	0.7
Salt and pepper To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Long-grain rice 1 1/2 cups	308	6	67.2	0.6	0.6
Chicken broth 3 cups	30	3	2.7	0.9	0
Fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Olive oil 1 tbsp	120	0	0	14	0
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh cilantro leaves 1/4 cup	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Lime wedges	4	0.1	1.3	0	0.3

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Beef

1
Place beef in pot
Place the beef in a large pot with water, onion, garlic, and salt.
Tip: For deeper flavor, marinate the beef overnight in the refrigerator.
2
Bring to a boil and simmer
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
3
Cook until tender
Cook until the beef is tender, about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Preparing the Tomato Sauce

1
Combine ingredients
In a blender, combine tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
Tip: Ensure beef is cooled before shredding to avoid burns.
2
Blend until smooth
Blend until smooth.
3
Season sauce
Season with cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Tip: Toast cumin seeds slightly before grinding for enhanced aroma.

How to Make Spiced Guatemalan Hilachas with Cilantro Rice

Total time: 4 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Shredding the Beef
Once tender, remove beef from the pot and shred using forks.
2
Simmering the Sauce
In a saucepan, cook the tomato mixture over medium heat for 10 minutes until thick.
3
Combining Everything
Add shredded beef to the sauce and simmer on low for 30 minutes.