Carne Guisada Recipe
Carne Guisada is a classic, hearty Mexican beef stew made with tender chunks of chuck steak simmered in a flavorful blend of tomatoes, peppers, and spices. This comforting dish features a rich, thick sauce perfect for serving over rice or with warm tortillas.
- Author: Felix
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Main Ingredients
- 2 1/2 tablespoons oil
- 2 pounds chuck steak, cubed
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 large bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 cups beef broth
- Heat oil and sauté onions: Heat 2 1/2 tablespoons of oil in a pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onions and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Brown the beef: Add the cubed chuck steak to the pot and cook until browned on all sides, turning the pieces to ensure even browning, about 8-10 minutes.
- Cook peppers: Add the chopped bell pepper to the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add tomato paste and tomatoes: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Then add the diced tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add flour and spices: Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour over the mixture and stir well, cooking for about 1-2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste. Add salt, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder, mixing thoroughly.
- Add broth and simmer: Pour in the 2 cups beef broth and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer the stew: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the stew simmer gently for 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Add water as needed if the sauce becomes too thick during cooking.
- Finish and serve: Once the beef is tender and the flavors have melded, adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the carne guisada warm, garnished with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Chuck steak is preferred for its tenderness after slow cooking, but other stew beef cuts can be substituted.
- If the stew is too thick while simmering, add small amounts of water or additional beef broth to reach desired consistency.
- This dish pairs excellently with warm tortillas, rice, or beans.
- For extra flavor, marinate the beef with spices 30 minutes before cooking.
Keywords: Carne Guisada, Mexican beef stew, slow cooked beef, chuck steak recipe, hearty Mexican stew