Tender Carne Guisada Recipe with Rich Sauce

Tender beef slowly simmering in a rich, aromatic carne guisada recipe brings comfort to every dinner table.

Generations of home cooks have perfected this hearty Latin American stew that warms the soul.

Chunks of beef break down into melt-in-your-mouth morsels after patient simmering with robust spices.

The deep, complex flavors develop through careful layering of ingredients like tomatoes, peppers, and fragrant herbs.

Each spoonful tells a story of traditional cooking passed down through family kitchens.

Serve this classic dish over fluffy white rice to create a complete meal that satisfies hunger and nostalgia.

Dive into this delicious culinary journey that connects you with the heart of Latin American home cooking.

How To Prepare Carne Guisada Step By Step

• Meat Preparation

Brown beef chunks in a large pot with oil over medium-high heat. Sear pieces until golden and caramelized, creating a rich exterior that locks in flavor. Remove meat and set aside for later incorporation.

• Vegetable Foundation

Saute chopped onions, green peppers, and garlic in the same pot. Allow vegetables to soften and release their aromatic qualities, creating a delicious base for the stew.

• Spice Transformation

Add diced tomatoes and tomato paste to develop a robust sauce. Introduce warm spices like cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano. Let ingredients meld together, building complex flavor profiles.

• Slow Cooking Magic

Return browned meat to the pot and pour in beef broth. Gently cover and reduce heat, allowing the stew to simmer slowly. Let the liquid transform the tough meat into tender, mouthwatering bites over 1.5 to 2 hours.

• Sauce Refinement

Create a light flour mixture to gently thicken the stew. Stir carefully to integrate, allowing the sauce to reach a rich, velvety consistency that clings perfectly to the meat.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the stew just before serving. Plate alongside warm rice, creamy beans, or soft tortillas for a complete and satisfying meal.

Helpful Tips For Carne Guisada Lovers

• Flavor Boost Technique: Try marinating the beef chunks in beer or red wine for 2-3 hours before cooking to enhance depth and tenderness, creating an extra layer of rich, complex flavor profile.
• Texture Perfection Tip: For melt-in-your-mouth meat, choose chuck roast or shoulder cuts with good marbling, which break down beautifully during long, slow cooking and provide incredible softness.
• Dietary Flexibility Hack: Transform this recipe into a low-carb version by replacing traditional flour thickener with xanthan gum or ground chia seeds, maintaining sauce consistency while reducing carbohydrate content.
• Spice Adventure Option: Experiment with heat levels by adding chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for smoky intensity or jalapeños for fresh, vibrant kick. Start with small amounts and adjust according to personal spice tolerance.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This stew tastes even better the next day, so prepare in advance and refrigerate overnight. The flavors will intensify and meld together, creating an even more delicious dining experience.

How To Serve Carne Guisada The Easy Way

• Hearty Meal Companion: Serve this rich carne guisada over fluffy white rice to soak up all the delicious sauce and create a complete, satisfying meal.
• Tex-Mex Style Platter: Create a vibrant plate with warm corn tortillas on the side, allowing diners to make their own beef-filled tacos or use them for scooping up the tender meat.
• Family-Style Comfort: Present the stew in a large, rustic serving dish at the center of the table, encouraging everyone to help themselves and enjoy the communal dining experience with additional sides like black beans or a fresh salad.
• Flavor Booster Toppings: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, diced onions, or crumbled queso fresco on top to add brightness, texture, and an extra layer of authentic Mexican-inspired flavor to the hearty beef stew.

Keep Carne Guisada Fresh And Tasty

• Fridge Storage Magic: Transfer cooled carne guisada into airtight containers, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days. Seal tightly to lock in delicious flavors and prevent potential odor absorption from other foods.
• Freezer Friendly Technique: Portion the stew into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty zip-lock bags. Flatten for easy stacking and quick thawing. Frozen carne guisada stays delectable for up to 3 months, perfect for busy weeknight meals.
• Reheating Smart Strategy: Warm gently in a covered skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent drying. Microwave works too, but stovetop method maintains better texture and flavor integrity.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prepare larger batches and divide into individual serving containers. These ready-to-go meals become lifesavers during hectic workweeks, offering quick, hearty dining without extensive cooking time. Pair with pre-cooked rice or tortillas for ultimate convenience.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 370 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need For Carne Guisada

• Beef Chunks: Rich, marbled cuts perfect for slow-cooking, selecting well-trimmed meat ensures tender, succulent results.
• Salt: Enhances meat's natural flavors and helps tenderize during cooking.
• Black Pepper: Adds warm, spicy undertones and complements the beef's richness.
• Vegetable Oil: Creates perfect searing environment for developing deep, caramelized meat flavors.

• Onion: Provides sweet, foundational flavor and creates depth in the stew's base.
• Green Bell Pepper: Introduces fresh, slightly crisp vegetable notes and vibrant color.
• Garlic: Delivers robust, pungent undertones that infuse the entire dish with intense complexity.

• Diced Tomatoes: Adds bright, tangy liquid base with natural acidity and slight sweetness.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
• Beef Broth: Creates rich, meaty liquid foundation for slow-simmering the stew.
• Cumin: Brings warm, earthy southwestern flavor profile.
• Chili Powder: Introduces gentle heat and traditional Mexican spice character.
• Smoked Paprika: Delivers subtle smoky complexity and deep reddish color.
• Oregano: Contributes herbal, slightly peppery background note.
• Flour: Acts as thickening agent to create luxurious, clingy sauce texture.
• Water: Helps create smooth slurry for sauce consistency.
• Cilantro: Optional fresh herb garnish adding bright, citrusy finishing touch.

Cooking Tools For Carne Guisada

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for browning meat and simmering the entire stew with deep, even heat.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, green peppers, and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for precise vegetable and meat preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and scraping the pot's bottom while cooking.
• Small Bowl: Used for creating the flour slurry to thicken the sauce.
• Measuring Spoons: Helpful for accurately portioning spices and oil.
• Measuring Cups: Necessary for measuring broth and other liquid ingredients.

Hearty Carne Guisada Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty carne guisada recipe delivers tender beef braised in rich, spicy Mexican-style sauce. Comforting stew promises warm flavors that will satisfy your deepest hunger for authentic Latin cuisine.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (900g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced (or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth or water
• 2 tbsps water (for slurry)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp oregano

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Generously coat beef chunks with salt and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
2. Meat Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot, then methodically brown meat in strategic batches to develop a rich, caramelized exterior without steaming the protein.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté onions, green bell peppers, and garlic until softened, releasing their vibrant essence and creating a flavor-dense base for the stew.
4. Sauce Development: Integrate diced tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring to break down and marry the ingredients into a harmonious sauce while intensifying the overall flavor profile.
5. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano across the vegetable mixture, thoroughly distributing the warming spices to build depth and complexity.
6. Braising Process: Return seared meat to the pot, pour in beef broth, and cover, allowing the stew to simmer gently for approximately two hours until the beef becomes extraordinarily tender.
7. Final Refinement: Prepare a flour slurry to naturally thicken the sauce, creating a luxurious consistency that clings perfectly to the succulent meat.
8. Serving Presentation: Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve alongside warm rice, traditional beans, or soft tortillas to complete this authentic comfort dish.

Notes

• Select High-Quality Meat: Choose well-marbled chuck roast or beef stew meat with good fat content for maximum tenderness and rich flavor development.
• Sear with Precision: Ensure meat is completely dry before searing to achieve a deep golden-brown crust, which locks in juices and creates complex flavor foundations.
• Spice Balance Matters: Layer spices gradually, tasting and adjusting cumin, chili powder, and paprika to prevent overwhelming the delicate meat’s natural taste profile.
• Low and Slow Technique: Maintain a gentle, consistent simmer during braising to break down tough muscle fibers, guaranteeing melt-in-your-mouth beef texture without drying out the meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 90mg