Carne Guisada Recipe With Authentic Mexican Flavors And Tender Beef Stew

Why You'll Love This Carne Guisada

This Carne Guisada is a Tex-Mex or Mexican beef stew that brings tender chunks of beef simmered in a seasoned brown gravy, making it a comforting dish for any meal. It's designed for simplicity, ideal for busy weeknights when you want something hearty without much fuss. With its rich flavors developed through slow cooking, this recipe offers a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine that will make you feel right at home.

One reason you'll adore this recipe is its ease of preparation, perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Just gather a few ingredients and follow straightforward steps to create a meal that's both satisfying and quick to put together. Plus, it's versatile enough to adapt to various tastes and diets, ensuring everyone at the table can enjoy it.

Health-wise, this dish packs lean beef with essential nutrients like protein, iron, and vitamins from fresh veggies and spices. It promotes balanced nutrition while being customizable for low-calorie or vegan options. The distinctive flavor from traditional spices creates a warm, comforting experience that highlights the best of authentic Mexican flavors.

Essential Ingredients for Carne Guisada

Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this Carne Guisada shine, as it relies on a blend of beef, spices, and veggies for its rich, savory gravy. Based on the traditional recipe, we'll use precise measurements to ensure your stew turns out perfectly tender and flavorful. Let's break it down into a structured list for easy shopping and preparation.

• 3 pounds stew meat (beef chuck or round, cut into 1-inch cubes if needed) – Provides the tender protein base
• 1 tablespoon oil – Used for browning the beef and sautéing onions
• 1 medium onion, diced – Adds sweetness and depth to the flavor
• 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional) – Brings a fresh, mild crunch and color
• 3 tablespoons tomato sauce or 1 large fresh tomato, diced – Contributes acidity and richness to the base
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves garlic, minced – Enhances aroma and adds a robust punch
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin – Offers earthy undertones that define the dish
• 2 teaspoons salt – Balances the flavors and seasons the meat
• ½ teaspoon black pepper – Adds a subtle kick without overwhelming the stew
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour – Helps thicken the gravy for that perfect consistency
• 1 cup water or chicken stock – Moistens the stew and creates the savory liquid base

For special dietary options, you can swap beef for seitan or jackfruit to make it vegan, or use gluten-free broth to keep things light. This list covers everything you need, making it simple to customize while staying true to the recipe's heart.

How to Prepare the Perfect Carne Guisada: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting Carne Guisada just right involves a few key steps that build layers of flavor through browning and slow simmering. Start by preparing your ingredients to make the process smooth and enjoyable. This method ensures the beef becomes tender while the gravy thickens beautifully.

First, begin by preparing all ingredients; cube the beef if needed, dice the onion, and mince the garlic or prepare it as powder. This sets you up for success and keeps things organized. Heat the 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the 3 pounds of beef cubes in batches to seal in the juices, which takes about 5 minutes per batch.

Once browned, remove the beef and in the same pot, sauté the diced medium onion and optional green bell pepper until they soften and release their aroma, around 3-4 minutes. For an internal link that adds value, check out our guide on easy Mexican recipes for more ideas. Return the beef to the pot, then stir in the seasonings: 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce or one large diced tomato, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 minced cloves, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

Next, add the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to thicken, mixing it well with the meat and veggies to create a base. Pour in 1 cup of water or chicken stock, bring everything to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for about 1½ hours until the meat is tender. If you want to add potatoes and carrots for extra heartiness, toss them in after the first hour of simmering. Once done, serve with flour tortillas, rice, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Carne Guisada

Making Carne Guisada work for your lifestyle is all about smart swaps that keep the flavors intact. Whether you're watching calories or following a specific diet, these changes can make the dish even more enjoyable. It starts with the protein and builds from there for maximum flexibility.

For protein alternatives, use seitan or jackfruit as a substitute for the 3 pounds of beef to accommodate vegan or vegetarian diets. If you prefer something leaner, opt for sirloin or chicken breast instead of beef chuck. Mushrooms can replace meat for a low-calorie option, providing a similar texture without the extra fat.

When it comes to veggies and seasonings, swap the 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce for roasted red peppers if you want a sweeter taste. Fresh herbs like cilantro or oregano can vary the 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves minced garlic for added freshness. Adjust the 2 teaspoons of ground cumin or use paprika instead of chili powder for a milder version, as mentioned in the original recipe.

Mastering Carne Guisada: Advanced Tips and Variations

Once you've got the basics down, elevating your Carne Guisada involves some pro techniques that make it even better. For instance, marinate the beef in lime juice and spices before cooking to boost tenderness and flavor. Using a slow cooker is another great way to let those rich tastes develop over time.

Explore flavor variations by adding smoky chipotle peppers or sweet corn to the mix with the diced onion and green bell pepper. For an external link on spice benefits, you can discover the health benefits of cumin, which plays a key role in this recipe. Presentation is key too; garnish with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime and serve over rice for a visually appealing plate.

Make-ahead options are perfect for busy days just prepare the stew in advance and let it rest in the fridge, as flavors intensify overnight. You can also freeze portions for quick meals later, ensuring you always have a hearty option ready. Add potatoes and carrots during cooking to make it heartier, absorbing the thick, savory gravy from the slow simmer.

How to Store Carne Guisada: Best Practices

Proper storage helps maintain the tender beef and flavorful gravy in your Carne Guisada. Always cool the stew before storing to preserve its texture. For an internal link to related content, visit our page on healthy stew recipes for more storage ideas.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Carne Guisada

Carne Guisada

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🥩 Experience the authentic taste of Tex-Mex cuisine with this hearty beef stew that transforms tough cuts of meat into incredibly tender, flavorful chunks swimming in a rich, seasoned gravy
🌶️ Master the art of slow-cooked Mexican comfort food that brings families together around the dinner table with its aromatic spices and melt-in-your-mouth beef that gets better with every bite

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

– 3 pounds stew meat (beef chuck or round, cut into 1-inch cubes if needed) for tender protein base

– 1 tablespoon oil for browning the beef and sautéing onions

– 1 medium onion, diced for sweetness and depth of flavor

– 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional) for freshness, mild crunch, and color

– 3 tablespoons tomato sauce or 1 large fresh tomato, diced for acidity and richness

– 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves garlic, minced for aroma and robust flavor

– 2 teaspoons ground cumin for earthy undertones

– 2 teaspoons salt for seasoning and balancing flavors

– ½ teaspoon black pepper for a subtle kick

– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour for thickening the gravy

– 1 cup water or chicken stock for moisture and a savory liquid base

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Instructions

1-First, begin by preparing all ingredients; cube the beef if needed, dice the onion, and mince the garlic or prepare it as powder. This sets you up for success and keeps things organized. Heat the 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the 3 pounds of beef cubes in batches to seal in the juices, which takes about 5 minutes per batch.

2-Once browned, remove the beef and in the same pot, sauté the diced medium onion and optional green bell pepper until they soften and release their aroma, around 3-4 minutes. For an internal link that adds value, check out our guide on easy Mexican recipes for more ideas. Return the beef to the pot, then stir in the seasonings: 3 tablespoons of tomato sauce or one large diced tomato, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 minced cloves, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, 2 teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper.

3-Next, add the 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour to thicken, mixing it well with the meat and veggies to create a base. Pour in 1 cup of water or chicken stock, bring everything to a boil, then cover and simmer on low heat for about 1½ hours until the meat is tender. If you want to add potatoes and carrots for extra heartiness, toss them in after the first hour of simmering. Once done, serve with flour tortillas, rice, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

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Notes

🥩 For the most tender results, use beef chuck with good marbling – the fat renders during slow cooking, making the meat incredibly tender and flavorful
🌶️ Adjust the spice level to your preference by adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños along with the other seasonings
⏰ This stew tastes even better the next day – make it ahead and refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld and deepen

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Braising
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Gluten-Free (omit flour or use GF thickener)

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 cup
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 4g
• Sodium: 680mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 8g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 95mg