Paraguay's vori vori gets its name from Guaraní language—the cornmeal dumplings literally mean 'ball ball' when doubled.
Beef Vori Vori
Dive into a warm bowl of Beef Vori Vori, a soul-soothing soup brimming with tender chunks of beef and vibrant veggies. Topped with fluffy cheese dumplings that soak up all the rich, savory goodness, this dish is your ultimate comfort food companion. Perfect for cozy nights or when you need a little extra care, it’s a culinary hug in a bowl!
Prep
15
min
Cook
180
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
The Story
This hearty Paraguayan masterpiece emerged when Spanish conquistadors crashed into Guaraní indigenous cooking in the 1500s—European beef-braising techniques collided with native corn flour dumplings called 'vori vori' (meaning 'ball ball' in Guaraní), creating South America's most underrated comfort food that makes Italian gnocchi look positively lightweight by comparison.
Regional Twist
In Paraguay's Asunción region, they swap the fresh cheese for tangy queso Paraguay and add diced sweet potato alongside the squash, creating denser dumplings that absorb even more of that bone-rich broth.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 pcs beef shank
- 1 pcs carrot
- 1 cup (237 ml) fresh cheese
- 1 pcs red onion
- 1 pcs squash
- 1 pcs tomato
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- beef stock (to taste)
- 3 cups (360 g) corn flour
- dried oregano (to taste)
- garlic (to taste)
- red bell pepper (to taste)
- reserved soup broth (to taste)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sear the seasoned beef shanks in a hot pot and set aside.
- 2
In the same pot, add the onions, garlic, tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, and carrots. Season with oregano and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- 3
Return the beef to the pot, pour in the beef stock, cover, and cook for about 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- 4
Remove the beef and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- 5
To make the dumplings, combine corn flour, cheese, salt, pepper, and a little of the broth until the dough is soft and pliable. Roll into balls of desired size.
- 6
Add the Vori Vori balls and chopped beef back into the pot and cook until the balls float to the surface. Serve and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Sear beef shanks at 400-450°F surface temperature until deep brown because the Maillard reaction creates 600+ flavor compounds that will infuse the entire broth during the long braise.technique400-450°F surface temp
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of hot broth to corn flour when making vori vori dough because the starch gelatinization at 160-180°F creates the proper elastic texture for floating dumplings.ingredient3:1 broth to flour ratio
- ✓Cook beef shanks for minimum 2.5 hours at 185-195°F internal temperature because collagen doesn't fully convert to gelatin until reaching 160°F for extended time, transforming tough connective tissue.timing2.5 hours at 185-195°F
- ✓Roll vori vori balls to 1-inch diameter maximum because larger dumplings won't cook through evenly and the corn flour center will remain gritty instead of tender.technique1-inch diameter maximum
- ✓Maintain broth at gentle simmer (185°F) when cooking dumplings because rapid boiling breaks apart the delicate corn flour structure before the starches fully hydrate.timing185°F simmer temperature
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
180
min
Serves
4
people
Level
intermediate
Share this recipe
Paraguay's vori vori gets its name from Guaraní language—the cornmeal dumplings literally mean 'ball ball' when doubled.
Beef Vori Vori
Dive into a warm bowl of Beef Vori Vori, a soul-soothing soup brimming with tender chunks of beef and vibrant veggies. Topped with fluffy cheese dumplings that soak up all the rich, savory goodness, this dish is your ultimate comfort food companion. Perfect for cozy nights or when you need a little extra care, it’s a culinary hug in a bowl!
The Story
This hearty Paraguayan masterpiece emerged when Spanish conquistadors crashed into Guaraní indigenous cooking in the 1500s—European beef-braising techniques collided with native corn flour dumplings called 'vori vori' (meaning 'ball ball' in Guaraní), creating South America's most underrated comfort food that makes Italian gnocchi look positively lightweight by comparison.
Regional Twist
In Paraguay's Asunción region, they swap the fresh cheese for tangy queso Paraguay and add diced sweet potato alongside the squash, creating denser dumplings that absorb even more of that bone-rich broth.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 1 pcs beef shank
- 1 pcs carrot
- 1 cup (237 ml) fresh cheese
- 1 pcs red onion
- 1 pcs squash
- 1 pcs tomato
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- beef stock (to taste)
- 3 cups (360 g) corn flour
- dried oregano (to taste)
- garlic (to taste)
- red bell pepper (to taste)
- reserved soup broth (to taste)
- salt and pepper (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Sear the seasoned beef shanks in a hot pot and set aside.
- 2
In the same pot, add the onions, garlic, tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, and carrots. Season with oregano and sauté for 2-3 minutes.
- 3
Return the beef to the pot, pour in the beef stock, cover, and cook for about 2-3 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- 4
Remove the beef and chop it into bite-sized pieces.
- 5
To make the dumplings, combine corn flour, cheese, salt, pepper, and a little of the broth until the dough is soft and pliable. Roll into balls of desired size.
- 6
Add the Vori Vori balls and chopped beef back into the pot and cook until the balls float to the surface. Serve and enjoy!
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Sear beef shanks at 400-450°F surface temperature until deep brown because the Maillard reaction creates 600+ flavor compounds that will infuse the entire broth during the long braise.technique400-450°F surface temp
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of hot broth to corn flour when making vori vori dough because the starch gelatinization at 160-180°F creates the proper elastic texture for floating dumplings.ingredient3:1 broth to flour ratio
- ✓Cook beef shanks for minimum 2.5 hours at 185-195°F internal temperature because collagen doesn't fully convert to gelatin until reaching 160°F for extended time, transforming tough connective tissue.timing2.5 hours at 185-195°F
- ✓Roll vori vori balls to 1-inch diameter maximum because larger dumplings won't cook through evenly and the corn flour center will remain gritty instead of tender.technique1-inch diameter maximum
- ✓Maintain broth at gentle simmer (185°F) when cooking dumplings because rapid boiling breaks apart the delicate corn flour structure before the starches fully hydrate.timing185°F simmer temperature