When it comes to Filipino cooking, every cut of meat has its purpose. From rich and fatty beef short ribs to lean sirloin strips, knowing how to use the right cut in the right dish makes all the difference. One cut that deserves more recognition in the Filipino kitchen is camto beef. Known for its unique texture and flavor, this cut shines when cooked low and slow, making it perfect for comforting local favorites like pares, bulalo, and sinigang.

If you’ve ever been curious about the camto beef part, how to prepare it, and why it’s worth adding to your weekly menu, this guide has everything you need. We’ll explore what makes camto special, the best dishes to try, and where to source quality cuts from a trusted premium choice meat shop like TenderBites.

What is Camto Beef?

Camto beef, sometimes referred to as flank or “flank-like” in butchery terms, comes from the lower chest or abdominal area of the cow. This camto beef part has long muscle fibers with some connective tissue, which means it isn’t as naturally tender as sirloin or tenderloin. However, when cooked properly, it transforms into a flavorful and juicy cut with a slightly chewy bite that Filipinos love in stews and soups.

In Filipino markets, camto is often sold alongside other soup cuts. Many home cooks choose it for its balance of lean meat and sinew, which gives broths a satisfying richness. While it may take longer to tenderize, the payoff is worth it. The meat becomes fork-tender and the broth develops a deep, beefy flavor.

Why Filipinos Love Cooking with Camto Beef

The appeal of camto beef lies in its versatility and character:

  • Rich Flavor – The connective tissue and marbling break down during cooking, giving the broth or sauce a robust beef taste.

  • Unique Texture – It has a chewy yet tender bite when simmered properly, making it ideal for soups and slow-cooked dishes.

  • Budget-Friendly – Compared to premium steak cuts, camto beef part is more affordable, making it accessible for everyday home cooking.

  • Perfect for Soups and Stews – The cut holds up well to long cooking times, enriching Filipino classics like pares, bulalo, and sinigang.

Popular Filipino Dishes with Camto Beef

1. Beef Pares

A staple of Filipino comfort food, pares is a braised beef dish served with rice and a flavorful soy-based sauce. The beef camto part is ideal for this dish because its connective tissue melts into the sauce, creating a rich, silky texture. Slow-cooked with garlic, star anise, soy sauce, and sugar, camto beef becomes tender and deeply infused with flavor.

Pro tip: Serve it with garlic fried rice and a clear beef soup on the side to complete the pares experience.

2. Bulalo

Bulalo is a favorite for rainy days, known for its clear broth, bone marrow, and tender beef. While shank is often used, adding camto beef gives the soup more body and meaty chunks that pair beautifully with cabbage and corn. The slightly chewy texture of camto complements the gelatinous marrow for a more well-rounded bowl.

Pro tip: Simmer low and slow for hours to ensure the camto beef part softens while flavoring the broth.

3. Sinigang na Baka

The tangy tamarind broth of sinigang is enhanced by beef cuts that can handle long cooking. The beef camto part works wonderfully here, absorbing the sour flavor while providing tender bites of beef to go along with vegetables like kangkong, radish, and sitaw.

Pro tip: For added depth, combine camto beef with other cuts like ribs or short plate. The blend gives the broth layers of flavor.

4. Nilaga

A simple boiled beef soup, nilaga lets the natural taste of the meat shine. Using camto beef ensures that the broth is both hearty and comforting, with tender meat that pairs well with potatoes, saba bananas, and pechay.

5. Adobo-Style Camto

For something different, try marinating camto in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaf before braising until tender. The cut’s texture soaks up the adobo flavors beautifully, creating a beefy twist on a Filipino classic.

How to Cook Camto Beef for Best Results

Because camto beef has tougher muscle fibers, it benefits from cooking techniques that break down connective tissue and enhance tenderness. Here are some tried-and-tested methods:

Slow Cooking

The simplest and most effective way to cook camto beef is to simmer it for a long time. Whether you’re making bulalo or pares, cooking it over low heat for 2–3 hours ensures the meat softens and the broth becomes flavorful.

Pressure Cooking

If you don’t have time to slow cook, a pressure cooker can tenderize camto beef part in under an hour. This is especially handy for busy weeknights when you still want hearty Filipino dishes.

Marinating

For quicker recipes like adobo-style camto, marinating the meat in acidic ingredients (vinegar, calamansi, or yogurt) helps tenderize it before cooking.

Cutting Against the Grain

When slicing camto beef, cut against the direction of the muscle fibers. This shortens the fibers, making each bite easier to chew.

Tips for Perfect Camto Beef Dishes

  • Skim the broth – For clear soups like bulalo and nilaga, skim off excess fat and scum while simmering.

  • Balance with vegetables – Pair the richness of camto with fresh vegetables like pechay, sitaw, and corn.

  • Season gradually – Add salt and patis (fish sauce) toward the end of cooking to adjust flavor without overpowering the broth.

  • Rest before serving – Letting braised or stewed camto beef rest for a few minutes after cooking allows the juices to settle.

Where to Buy Camto Beef in the Philippines

The quality of the beef camto part you buy will directly affect your cooking results. Wet markets sometimes offer camto, but freshness and preparation can vary. For consistently high-quality cuts, it’s best to buy from a reliable premium choice meat shop.

At TenderBites, we make it easy to source fresh camto beef that’s expertly cut and ready for cooking. Whether you’re preparing pares, bulalo, or sinigang, you can count on us for:

  • Freshness and consistency – Every cut is handled with care to maintain quality.

  • Custom butchering – Our expert butchers can prepare camto beef part exactly how you want it.

  • Convenience – Shop in-store or online, whichever suits your schedule.

Shop at TenderBites Locations

If you prefer to pick up your meat in person, you can visit TenderBites at these convenient Metro Manila locations:

  • Unimart at Capitol Commons
  • Unimart Greenhills
  • The Marketplace Rockwell

Each branch offers a wide variety of cuts beyond camto beef, so you can stock up on everything from pork kasim to wagyu beef. As a trusted meat shop, we ensure every visit is worthwhile.

Order Camto Beef Online

For home cooks who want to skip the trip, TenderBites also offers the option to order camto beef online. Simply browse our catalog, select your preferred camto beef cut, and have it delivered straight to your home. It’s a hassle-free way to plan meals without worrying about market schedules or inconsistent supply.

Why Choose TenderBites as Your Meat Shop

TenderBites is more than just a meat shop. We are your partner in creating memorable meals by providing:

  • Premium quality meats – From camto beef to lamb, pork, and specialty cuts.

  • Trusted service – Our expert butchers prepare cuts the way you need them.

  • Accessibility – With branches at Unimart at Capitol Commons, Unimart Greenhills, and The Marketplace Rockwell, plus online ordering, we’re always within reach.

By choosing TenderBites, you can be confident that every meal starts with the best ingredients.

Bringing Camto Beef Into Your Kitchen

Cooking with camto beef may take a little extra time, but the rewards are worth it. From the rich flavor of pares to the comfort of bulalo and the tangy bite of sinigang, the beef camto part elevates Filipino dishes with its unique texture and taste.

If you’ve been searching for high-quality camto beef for your home recipes, look no further than TenderBites. Whether you shop in person at Unimart at Capitol Commons, Unimart Greenhills, or The Marketplace Rockwell, or prefer the convenience of ordering online, our selection of fresh cuts makes it easy to cook like a pro.

With TenderBites, your go-to premium choice meat shop, every meal can be hearty, flavorful, and unforgettable.