Morcon Recipe (Filipino Beef Roll)

Morcon is a festive Filipino dish made with thin slices of beef rolled with a flavorful filling such as eggs, carrots, pickles, cheese, and sausage. It is braised in a rich tomato-based sauce and often served during special occasions like holidays and celebrations.

Menu: Morcon

Ingredients

• 1 kilo beef (top round or flank), sliced thinly
• 2 carrots, cut into strips
• 2–3 hard-boiled eggs, sliced into wedges
• 1/2 cup pickle relish or sliced pickles
• 1/2 cup cheese, cut into strips
• 2–3 hotdogs or sausages, cut into strips
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup calamansi juice
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Kitchen twine or toothpicks

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare and Marinate the Beef

Pound beef slices to tenderize. Marinate in soy sauce, calamansi juice, garlic, salt, and pepper for at least 1 hour.

Step 2: Assemble the Filling

Lay beef flat and arrange carrots, eggs, pickles, cheese, and hotdogs on top.

Step 3: Roll and Secure

Roll the beef tightly and secure with kitchen twine or toothpicks.

Step 4: Brown the Beef Rolls

Heat oil in a pan and sear the beef rolls on all sides until browned. This locks in flavor.

Step 5: Cook the Sauce

In the same pan, sauté onion and garlic. Add tomato sauce, tomato paste, and beef broth. Stir well.

Step 6: Simmer the Morcon

Add beef rolls back into the pan. Cover and simmer for 1.5–2 hours until beef is tender.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Remove twine or toothpicks. Slice into rounds and serve with sauce.

Tips for Perfect Morcon

• Pound beef evenly for easier rolling.
• Marinate longer for deeper flavor.
• Simmer slowly for tender meat.
• Secure tightly to keep filling intact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thick beef slices – hard to roll.
• Overcooking sauce – may dry out.
• Loose rolling – filling may fall out.
• Not simmering enough – tough meat.

Extra Info / Insights

Morcon is often confused with embutido, but the main difference is that Morcon uses whole beef slices while embutido uses ground meat. This dish is a staple in Filipino celebrations and is known for its rich flavor and elegant presentation.

FAQ

1. Can I use pork instead of beef? – Yes, but traditional Morcon uses beef.
2. Can I cook it faster? – Use a pressure cooker to reduce cooking time.
3. Can I prepare it ahead? – Yes, it tastes even better the next day.
4. What side dish goes well? – Rice or mashed potatoes.
5. Can I freeze it? – Yes, after cooking.

Internal Links

Related recipes: Embutido, Beef Kare-Kare

Conclusion

This Morcon Recipe is a rich and flavorful Filipino dish perfect for special occasions. Its tender beef and savory filling make it a true celebration favorite.