Description
Carne Guisada is a comforting Tex-Mex braised beef stew made with tender cubes of beef simmered in a flavorful sauce of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and spices. This hearty dish is perfect served over rice or with warm flour tortillas, making it a delicious and satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (cut into 1-inch cubes)
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 large tomato (diced) or ½ cup canned diced tomatoes
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Chopped cilantro for garnish (optional)
Others
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat in batches and sear until browned on all sides. Transfer the browned beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium. In the same pot, add the diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Tomato and Tomato Paste: Stir in the diced tomato and tomato paste. Cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the tomato to soften and flavors to meld.
- Incorporate Flour: Sprinkle the tablespoon of all-purpose flour over the vegetables and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to remove the raw flour taste and thicken the sauce later.
- Add Beef and Spices: Return the seared beef to the pot. Add ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat the beef and vegetables with the seasoning blend.
- Add Broth and Bay Leaf: Pour in the 2 cups of beef broth and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Simmer: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 1½ to 2 hours. Cook until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to a rich consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf. Optionally garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot over rice or with warm flour tortillas.
Notes
- Carne guisada pairs wonderfully with rice or warm flour tortillas.
- For added heat, incorporate sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes during the sauté step.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
- Use gluten-free flour and broth to make this dish gluten-free.
