Description
A hearty and flavorful Carne Guisada, perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (like avocado or vegetable)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water (to make slurry)
Instructions
- Sear the beef: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides. This step adds incredible depth to the stew. Transfer browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let it all toast slightly for extra flavor.
- Build the base: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen its flavor. Pour in crushed tomatoes and beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits (those are pure gold in flavor).
- Simmer low and slow: Return the beef (and any juices) to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and reduce heat to low. Let the stew cook slowly for 1½ to 2 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender and the flavors have melded beautifully.
- Thicken the sauce: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with water to form a slurry. Stir it into the pot and let simmer for another 5–10 minutes, until the sauce thickens into a rich gravy.
- Serve and enjoy: Ladle your hearty Carne Guisada over steamed rice or spoon it into warm tortillas for the ultimate comfort meal.
Notes
- This dish is great for meal prep and can be stored in the fridge for a few days.
- Feel free to add your favorite vegetables or spices to customize the flavor according to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 100mg