Description
Carne Guisada is a comforting and flavorful beef stew made with tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich tomato and spice-infused broth. This classic Latin American dish is perfect for a hearty family meal and is traditionally served with rice, tortillas, or bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp ground oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water (optional, for thickening)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until hot and shimmering.
- Brown the beef: Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Add them to the hot oil and sear until browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the beef and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped green bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
- Cook tomato paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes to caramelize and deepen the flavor.
- Add diced tomato and spices: Mix in the diced tomato, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Simmer the beef: Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and add the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Slow cook: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with a lid, and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking until the beef is tender.
- Thicken the sauce (optional): In the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water) if you prefer a thicker sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the bay leaf. Garnish the Carne Guisada with fresh cilantro and serve hot with rice, warm tortillas, or bread to enjoy the rich sauce.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the beef with some of the spices for an hour before cooking.
- You can substitute beef chuck with other stew cuts like brisket or short ribs.
- If you prefer a spicier stew, add chopped jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce.
- The cornstarch slurry is optional but helps achieve a thicker gravy-like consistency.
- Leftovers taste great the next day and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Latin American
