Carne Guisada
Carne Guisada is a flavorful Latin American beef stew that combines tender meat with a rich sauce made from tomatoes, spices, and peppers. This dish is perfect for a comforting meal, served with rice or tortillas.
Equipment
- 1 Large pot or Dutch oven
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Measuring cups
- 1 Measuring spoons
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon chili powder for added heat (optional)
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef cubes to the pot and brown them on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove beef and set aside.
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Return the browned beef to the pot, followed by the diced tomatoes, beef broth, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. If using chili powder, add it as well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, alongside rice or warm tortillas.
Notes
For more flavor, marinate the beef in the spices and some lime juice for a few hours before cooking.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let it reduce.
This dish can be made a day ahead and tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.