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.