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🥩
Main course Meat

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥900kcal
💪70gProtein
🌾22gCarbs
🥑60gFat
🌿1gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Posta Cartagenera

How to order / say it
Say it Posta Cartagenera — [Poh-stah Kar-tah-heh-neh-rah]
Order I'd like to try the Posta Cartagenera, please.
Locally Me gustaría probar la Posta Cartagenera, por favor.
Say locally

Beef roast soaked in a spicy, sweet tamarind and panela sauce.

Why try it?

A signature dish of Cartagena, it highlights the Afro-Caribbean influence with its bold flavors and is traditionally served at major celebrations.

How it tastes

Rich and tender beef with a smoky, caramelized flavor, complemented by a tangy-sweet sauce that melds beautifully with the spices.

Origin & History — first documented: 1870

Posta Cartagenera has roots tracing back to the 19th century as Afro-Caribbean cooking merged with Spanish techniques, evolving into a festive staple for holidays and family gatherings.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🥩 500 g beef roast
  • 🧂 50 g tamarind paste
  • 🍯 80 g panela
  • 🧄 100 g onion
  • 🧄 10 g garlic cloves
  • 🫒 50 ml vegetable oil
  • 🌿 2 bay leaves
  • 🧂 5 g salt
  • 🧂 5 g black pepper

Method

  1. 1 Season beef with salt, pepper, and sear in oil until browned.
  2. 2 Add onion, garlic, tamarind paste, and bay leaves.
  3. 3 Pour in water and panela, allowing beef to braise slowly.
  4. 4 Cook until beef is tender and sauce is thickened.
All South America recipes — Colombia — Cartagena — Posta Cartagenera
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