Hearty Carne Guisada Recipe: A Comforting Latin Classic

Tender carne guisada brings comfort straight to your dinner table with its rich, slow-cooked flavors.

Mexican kitchens have perfected this hearty beef stew through generations of culinary wisdom.

Succulent meat simmers in a deeply aromatic sauce that promises warmth and satisfaction.

Robust spices meld together, creating a complex taste profile that feels like a warm embrace.

Generations of home cooks have passed down this traditional recipe, each adding their unique touch.

Families gather around steaming plates, sharing stories and enjoying every delicious spoonful.

You’ll want to savor each bite of this soul-warming dish that connects tradition with pure deliciousness.

Why Carne Guisada Is Full Of Flavor

• Satisfy Hearty Cravings: A mouthwatering stew that delivers rich, deep flavors perfect for satisfying serious hunger with tender beef and robust spices.
• Master Comfort Cooking: Simple step-by-step instructions make this recipe accessible for home cooks of all skill levels, transforming basic ingredients into a spectacular meal.
• Customize Your Comfort: Flexible recipe allows easy adjustments like adding extra vegetables or tweaking spice levels to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup with a single pot cooking method that saves time and reduces kitchen mess while creating a delicious, complete meal from start to finish.

What’s Inside Carne Guisada

• Chuck Steak: A flavorful and tender beef cut perfect for slow-cooking stews.
• Beef Broth: Provides rich depth and moisture to enhance the meat's flavor.

• Onions, Garlic: Create a savory base that adds depth and complexity to the dish.
• Bell Peppers: Bring a sweet and mild pepper flavor to the stew.
• Tomato Paste, Diced Tomatoes: Offer a rich, tangy base and help tenderize the meat.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Cumin, Chili Powder: Provide warm, earthy spices that give the carne guisada its traditional Mexican flavor profile.
• Flour: Acts as a thickening agent to create a rich, hearty sauce.
• Cilantro: A fresh herb for garnishing that adds a bright, citrusy note.

• Oil: Used for sautéing and creating a base for browning ingredients.
• Water: Helps adjust the consistency of the stew during cooking.

How To Make Carne Guisada Easily

Step 1: Sizzle Onions and Garlic

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once shimmering, toss in chopped onions and cook until they turn translucent and soft. Add minced garlic and continue cooking until the kitchen fills with a mouthwatering aroma.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

Introduce cubed chuck steak to the pot. Sear the meat on all sides, creating a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in incredible flavor.

Step 3: Add Colorful Peppers

Fold in chopped bell peppers and let them dance in the pot until they soften and release their sweet essence.

Step 4: Build the Tomato Base

Incorporate tomato paste and let it bloom for a moment. Pour in diced tomatoes and let the mixture simmer and meld together.

Step 5: Create a Silky Thickener

Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring carefully to create a smooth, even coating. Cook briefly to eliminate any raw flour taste.

Step 6: Infuse with Spices and Broth

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cumin
• Chili powder

Bring the liquid to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.

Step 7: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the pot and let the carne guisada simmer on low heat for two hours. Stir occasionally and add water if the sauce becomes too thick.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

When the meat is meltingly tender, ladle the carne guisada into warm bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro for a burst of brightness.

Helpful Tips For Carne Guisada

• Choose Tender Meat: Select chuck steak with good marbling for maximum flavor and tenderness, ensuring the meat becomes melt-in-your-mouth soft during slow cooking.
• Control Liquid Levels: Monitor the liquid while simmering, adding water gradually to maintain a rich, thick sauce without drying out the meat.
• Low and Slow Technique: Cook the stew on very low heat to break down tough meat fibers, creating a deeply flavorful and incredibly tender dish.
• Enhance Spice Balance: Adjust cumin and chili powder according to personal heat preference, allowing the spices to develop complexity during the extended cooking time.
• Elevate Freshness: Sprinkle fresh cilantro just before serving to add a bright, herbaceous contrast to the rich, hearty stew.

Fun Twists On Carne Guisada

• Slow Cooker Carne Guisada: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until beef becomes incredibly tender and falls apart easily.
• Spicy Mexican Version: Add diced jalapeños or chipotle peppers for extra heat. Include a splash of tequila during cooking to enhance the flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Replace flour with almond flour or omit completely. Serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chuck steak with large portobello mushrooms or plant-based beef alternatives. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a meat-free version that maintains rich, hearty flavors.

What Goes Great With Carne Guisada

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a bold Malbec or Tempranillo to complement the rich, hearty flavors of the carne guisada, enhancing the meat's deep, savory notes.
• Serve with Warm Cornbread: Bake a slightly sweet cornbread to soak up the delicious sauce, providing a perfect textural contrast and balancing the dish's spicy undertones.
• Match with Crisp Mexican Lager: Choose a light beer like Modelo Especial or Dos Equis to cut through the richness of the stewed meat, refreshing the palate between bites.
• Create a Side of Cilantro-Lime Rice: Prepare fluffy white rice with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice to add brightness and complement the deep flavors of the carne guisada.

How To Store Carne Guisada The Right Way

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cool the dish completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pack the cooled carne guisada in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
• Place portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to ensure even warming.
• Warm the carne guisada in a pot over medium-low heat. Add a splash of beef broth or water to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir occasionally until heated thoroughly.

Carne Guisada FAQs Made Simple

• What meat is best for carne guisada?

Chuck steak is ideal because it’s tough, flavorful, and becomes incredibly tender when slow-cooked, breaking down perfectly during the long simmering process.

• Why do you brown the meat before simmering?

Browning the meat develops a deep, rich flavor through the Maillard reaction, creating complex taste layers and sealing in the meat’s natural juices before slow cooking.

• Can I make this dish spicier?

Yes, easily! Increase the amount of chili powder or add diced jalapeños during cooking to boost the heat level according to your preference.

• Is carne guisada gluten-free?

Not in its traditional form. The recipe uses flour as a thickener, but you can substitute cornstarch or gluten-free flour to make it celiac-friendly.

Carne Guisada Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty carne guisada brings Mexican comfort straight to dinner tables with tender beef slowly simmered in rich, spicy sauce. Succulent meat melts in your mouth, promising a deeply satisfying meal that connects tradition and flavor in one delicious bowl.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 pounds chuck steak (cubed)

Vegetables:

• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 large bell pepper (chopped)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 large tomatoes (diced)

Seasonings and Other Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 tablespoons (37.5 milliliters) oil
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth

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Instructions

1. Warm a spacious cooking vessel over medium flame, drizzling oil to coat the bottom evenly and creating a sizzling surface.
2. Introduce diced onions, allowing them to become translucent and release their aromatic essence, approximately 3-4 minutes. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring until fragrant.
3. Introduce robust chuck steak cubes, searing each piece until a rich golden-brown crust develops on all surfaces, creating deep flavor foundations.
4. Fold in vibrant bell peppers, letting them soften and meld with the developing stew, enhancing the dish’s colorful profile.
5. Integrate tomato paste, stirring rapidly to caramelize and intensify its concentrated flavor. Add diced tomatoes, allowing them to break down and create a luscious base.
6. Dust flour across the mixture, thoroughly blending to eliminate any potential raw flour taste and create a subtle thickening effect.
7. Stream beef broth into the pot, complementing with a balanced blend of salt, black pepper, cumin, and chili powder. Elevate to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
8. Cover and allow the stew to slowly transform, maintaining a low temperature for approximately 2 hours. Periodically stir and monitor liquid levels, adding water if the consistency becomes too dense.
9. Once meat reaches a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, plate the carne guisada and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro for a bright, herbaceous finish.

Notes

• Tenderize tough cuts of meat by cooking low and slow, allowing collagen to break down and create melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Choose chuck steak or similar budget-friendly, well-marbled cuts for maximum flavor and tenderness in this traditional stew.
• Enhance depth by deglazing the pot with a splash of red wine or beer after browning the meat, capturing those delicious browned bits.
• Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder or adding jalapeños for spice lovers, or reducing for mild palates.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg