Description
Carne Guisada is a comforting Mexican-American braised beef stew, featuring tender cubes of beef simmered with aromatic spices, onions, bell peppers, and garlic in a rich tomato-based sauce. This hearty stovetop dish is perfect for a satisfying main course and pairs wonderfully with rice, tortillas, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Oil
- 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Spices
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Liquids and Thickening Agents
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
Garnish
- Chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
- Sear the beef: Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven or deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches and sear until browned on all sides. Remove the browned beef and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Then stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute to release aromas.
- Add spices and tomato paste: Stir in ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and salt, coating the vegetables evenly with the spices. Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
- Simmer the beef: Return the seared beef to the pot and pour in the beef broth and water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
- Thicken the sauce: To thicken, whisk the all-purpose flour with 1/4 cup water to form a slurry. Stir this into the stew and simmer uncovered for another 10–15 minutes. If desired, add a cornstarch slurry for additional thickness, stirring well.
- Adjust seasoning and serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro before serving, if desired.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, add a dash of Worcestershire sauce or a splash of beer during simmering.
- Serve with rice, warm tortillas, or creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty meal.
- Leftovers develop even richer flavors and taste better the next day.
