Easy Tex-Mex Carne Guisada Recipe (Flavorful Beef Stew) (2024)

Tex-Mex Carne Guisada Recipe: How to Make the Best Mexican Beef Stew

If you’re looking for a hearty and flavorful dish that will warm you up on a cold day, look no further than Tex-Mex carne guisada.This delicious stew is made with tender beef cubes, savory vegetables, and a rich tomato-based gravy that boasts bold flavors from the spices and vegetables used.

Carne guisada is a popular Tex-Mex dish that translates to “stewed meat” and has its roots in Mexican cuisine. It is a versatile dish that can be served with rice, beans, tortillas, or mashed potatoes and topped with cilantro, avocado, cheese, or lime wedges.

In this article, you’ll learn how to make the best carne guisada recipe from scratch using simple ingredients and easy steps. You’ll also discover the history and variations of this dish, as well as some tips and tricks to make it even more delicious. Read on to find out how to bring this comforting and satisfying dish to your table.

What is Carne Guisada and Why You Should Try It

Carne guisada has been a staple in Mexican cuisine for centuries, with its roots tracing back to the Aztec empire. The traditional recipe has undergone many changes over time as it was introduced to various regions like Texas, where it became a household favorite among Texans.

Today, this dish is important in Mexican and Texan cultures, often served during special occasions or family gatherings. With its warm and comforting flavors, carne guisada represents the rich culinary diversity of these regions.

Importance of This Recipe

While there are many variations of carne guisada recipes, each one shares the same importance – bringing people together over delicious food. The hearty nature of this dish makes it perfect for feeding large groups at family gatherings or potlucks.

Its versatility makes it easy for home cooks to add their unique twist to the recipe by incorporating different vegetables or spices. Moreover, making carne guisada from scratch allows you to control what goes into your stew.

You can ensure that your dish is healthy without sacrificing flavor by using fresh ingredients like onions, garlic cloves, green bell peppers, and ground cumin instead of packaged seasoning blends. Knowing how to make carne guisada is essential for any home cook who wants to bring comfort food bursting with flavor to their kitchen.

Welcome to the Other Side of Nowhere! Big Bend Ranch State Park offers outdoor recreation for the truly adventurous. This remote park features rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, unparalleled night skies, and solitude in a high desert setting. The park stretches along the Rio Grande in far west Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border.

Ingredients

Carne Guisada, the flavorful Mexican beef stew, is a dish that should be on everyone’s list to try. With its tender and juicy meat, savory vegetables, and warm spices, it’s an exquisite meal that will satisfy any hunger. The ingredients required to make this delicious recipe are simple.

HOW TO BOOST YOUR CREDIT SCORE 100+ POINTS IN 30 DAYS WITHOUT CREDIT REPAIR! Audible Audiobook Unlock the key to a higher credit score in just 30 days with ‘How to Boost Your Credit Score 100+ Points in 30 Days Without Credit Repair’! Did you realize your payment history is only 35% of your credit score? Uncover the hidden secrets of the credit industry that can elevate the remaining 65%, even if you’ve never missed a payment. Experience real results in just one month! Don’t let a lower credit score limit your financial potential. Click now to discover the game-changing insights that will transform your credit score and open doors to new opportunities. Act today and take control of your financial future! FREE with Audible trial. Available instantly.
Advertisem*nt

How to Choose the Best Meat for Carne Guisada

Choosing the right meat is essential for carne guisada. You want a cut of beef that’s tender enough to cook quickly but has enough fat content to add flavor and tenderness.

Beef chuck or shoulder roast are excellent options as they have a marbling of fat throughout the meat. This marbling contributes to a rich flavor and helps keep the meat moist when slow-cooked for long periods.

Vegetables and spices

The vegetable selection in carne guisada is just as crucial as the choice of meat. Onions and garlic provide an aromatic base for the stew, while green bell peppers add freshness and sweetness. Tomatoes or tomato sauce bring acidity to balance out all those deep flavors, while ground cumin adds smokiness with hints of earthy warmth.

Other spices used in carne guisada include garlic powder, salt, pepper, or chili powder, depending on personal preference. These dry spices are often combined with flour to create a seasoning blend that coats the meat before cooking.

Broth or stock

The liquid used in making carne guisada can make or break your dish. Beef broth or stock are traditional choices that give a depth of flavor without overpowering the other ingredients with too much saltiness or acidity; however, chicken stock can also be used if you prefer a lighter taste. Making homemade broth from scratch is always preferred, but using store-bought can be convenient too, especially when time is tight- make sure you choose a low-sodium version to control the dish’s saltiness.

The broth is typically added to the stew after browning the meat, and it’s then simmered for at least an hour to allow all flavors to blend. Carne guisada recipe ingredients are simple but key to a delicious meal.

Meat selection dictates texture and flavor, while vegetables and spices provide aroma, freshness, sweetness, and smokiness. The liquid component of this dish is essential as it carries all those beautiful flavors into each bite.

How to Cook Carne Guisada

Meat preparation

When preparing carne guisada, selecting the proper cut of beef is essential. Chuck roast or stew meat is ideal because it contains enough fat to keep the meat tender during cooking. The first step in meat preparation is cutting the beef into small cubes, around 1-2 inches.

This cube size ensures that the meat will cook evenly and become tender. To increase flavor and tenderness, marinate your meat in a seasoning blend for at least thirty minutes or up to overnight for additional flavor penetration.

A popular seasoning blend includes salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cumin, but you can customize your seasoning according to your preferences. To marinate the meat effectively, place it in a large bowl with your chosen spices and mix thoroughly until all pieces are coated evenly.

Once you have finished marinating the meat cubes, it’s time to brown them in a skillet over medium-high heat. Heating oil in a skillet before cooking allows you to sear each side of the beef pieces to lock in all juices from within while developing a crispy crust on both sides.

Vegetable preparation

Vegetables are an important part of carne guisada because they add unique flavors and nutrients essential for digestion to this recipe. Start by chopping onions, garlic cloves & green bell peppers into small uniform sizes (roughly 1/4 inch).

Afterward, saute vegetables with oil until lightly browned or charred on top. When sautéing vegetables like onions and peppers, do not overcrowd them as this will lead to steaming rather than browning, which can drastically change flavors by reducing caramelization on each ingredient’s surface.

Combining ingredients

Before simmering everything together, add tomato sauce or diced tomatoes with broth or stock in the skillet. The liquid should completely cover all ingredients in the pan, but not too much that it’s soupy.

Stir until everything is combined, and then bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches boiling point, reduce heat to low and let it simmer for at least an hour until beef is tender enough that a fork can easily break apart a piece of meat.

“Experience the vibrant fusion of flavors in Hawaiian cuisine with Beef Tomato Hawaii Style Stew.”

The result should be a thick stew with tender beef cubes, rich gravy, and flavorful vegetables. Serve hot with rice, beans, or mashed potatoes topped with cilantro & lime wedges for extra zest, or pair it with flour tortillas for Tex-Mex authenticity!

Carne Guisada Serving Suggestions

Pairing with rice or beans

Carne guisada is a flavorful stew that pairs perfectly with classic Mexican or Tex-Mex side dishes such as rice and beans. White rice is an excellent neutral base for the rich and savory carne guisada gravy.

For a more substantial meal, try mixing in some black beans or pinto beans to add protein, fiber, and flavor. Alternatively, you can serve the carne guisada over a bed of mashed potatoes for a heartier option.

Toppings such as cilantro, avocado, lime wedges, or shredded cheese

Toppings are another way to take your carne guisada dish to the next level. Cilantro adds freshness and color, while avocado provides creaminess that balances out the richness of the stew. Lime wedges give a bright, citrusy note that helps cut through the heaviness of the dish, while shredded cheese adds saltiness and texture.

“Discover the rich history and tantalizing flavors of New Mexico Carne Adovada, a culinary masterpiece from New Mexico.”

Flour tortillas are also an excellent accompaniment to carne guisada. Soften them in a skillet before serving them alongside your stew.

Use them as wraps to spoon some of this Mexican-inspired dish for a taco-like experience. To season your toppings properly, sprinkle some fresh cilantro over your stew for flavor, or add diced green bell pepper if you like it spicy!

“Discover Moe’s Queso Dip secret recipe, step-by-step instructions.”

If you want an extra kick of spice without adding heat, try using ground cumin instead of garlic powder when seasoning your meat before cooking it in tomato sauce. Salt and pepper should be used sparingly because there is already plenty of flavor from all those veggies!

Recipe variations

While the traditional recipe for carne guisada involves beef cubes, green bell peppers, onions, garlic powder, and other spices simmered in a tomato-based sauce or gravy, there are plenty of ways to modify the dish. Some people prefer to use pork instead of beef, while others opt for chicken. Adding potatoes or carrots can also add texture and depth to the dish.

Those who like spicy it can add jalapeños or red pepper flakes, while others may prefer milder flavors with salt and pepper. In addition to meat and vegetable variations, there are different ways to serve carne guisada.

Some people enjoy it over rice or beans, while others prefer flour tortillas or mashed potatoes as a base. Toppings such as cilantro and avocado can add freshness, while shredded cheese adds creaminess.

Conclusion

Carne guisada is a much-loved Mexican dish that has become a staple in Tex-Mex cuisine. This rich and savory stew is perfect for any occasion, be it a family dinner or a casual gathering with friends. The recipe is quite versatile, allowing for modifications to suit personal preferences.

Carne Guisada Recipe Card

Mexican Beef Stew Recipe

Course: Soup/StewCuisine: Tex-Mex

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

2

hours

Calories

933

kcal

Carne guisada is traditionally served with flour tortillas, rice or mashed potatoes. It’s a comforting and filling dish with Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors that’s perfect for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds Stew Meat

• 1 tablespoon Oil (lard, bacon grease, etc)

• 1 Medium Onion (diced)

• 1 Small Green Bell Pepper (diced, optional)

• 3 tablespoons Tomato Sauce (or 1 large tomato, diced)

• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (or 3 cloves of garlic, minced)

• 2 teaspoons Ground Cumin

• 2 teaspoons Salt

• ½ teaspoon Black Pepper

• 2 tablespoons All-Purpose Flour

• 1 cup Chicken Stock (or water)

• Flour Tortillas (rice or mashed potatoes, for serving)

Directions

• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until softened.
• Add stew meat and cook until browned on all sides.
• Add tomato sauce, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
• Sprinkle flour over the top of the meat mixture and stir to combine.
• Pour in chicken stock and bring to a simmer.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 1-2 hours until the meat is tender and the sauce has thickened.
• Serve with flour tortillas, rice or mashed potatoes.