Description
Carne Guisada is a comforting Mexican braised beef dish made with tender chunks of beef chuck simmered in a flavorful gravy of vegetables, spices, and beef broth. This slow-cooked stew is perfect served with rice, tortillas, or beans and is richer the next day as the flavors meld beautifully.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
Liquids and Oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lime juice
Garnish (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef in batches to avoid overcrowding, browning on all sides. Remove the browned beef and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add the finely chopped onion and green bell pepper. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add Flour and Spices: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir well, cooking for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. Add ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper, stirring to thoroughly coat the vegetables with the spices.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste and Broth: Stir in the tomato paste evenly. Slowly pour in the beef broth while scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pot to enhance the flavor.
- Simmer the Beef: Return the browned beef cubes to the pot and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook on low heat for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally until the beef is very tender and the gravy has thickened to your liking.
- Finish and Garnish: Stir in the apple cider vinegar or lime juice right before serving to add brightness. Optionally, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro for a fresh herbal note.
Notes
- Traditionally served with rice, tortillas, or beans for a complete meal.
- For a thicker gravy, uncover and simmer the stew for the last 15 minutes to reduce the liquid.
- This dish tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
