Warm & Flavorful Carne Guisada Recipe That Hugs Your Soul

Slow-cooked beef stew with carne guisada brings warmth to every dinner table, blending rich Latin American culinary traditions with comforting home-style cooking.

Tender chunks of meat simmer gently in a deeply seasoned sauce that speaks of generations of love and flavor.

Each spoonful carries the depth of carefully selected spices and slow-simmered ingredients.

The robust aroma fills the kitchen, promising a meal that connects you to cultural roots and satisfying hunger.

Robust and tender beef transforms into a melt-in-your-mouth experience that celebrates simple, authentic cooking.

This classic dish offers a delicious journey through Latin American cuisine that will surely become a favorite in your recipe collection.

One bite promises to transport you straight to the heart of traditional comfort food.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours

Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 6

Carne Guisada Ingredients You Should Know

• Beef Chunks: Succulent protein that provides hearty depth and rich flavor to the stew, selecting well-marbled cuts ensures tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances natural meat flavors and helps tenderize proteins.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and aromatic complexity to the meat's initial seasoning.

• Onion, Green Bell Pepper, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create a robust, multilayered taste profile, choosing fresh and crisp vegetables ensures maximum taste impact.

• Diced Tomatoes: Provides tangy base and contributes bright acidity to balance meat's richness.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrates tomato flavor and helps thicken sauce naturally.
• Cumin: Earthy spice that adds warm, distinctive southwestern character.
• Chili Powder: Introduces gentle heat and complex pepper notes.
• Smoked Paprika: Delivers subtle smokiness and vibrant red color.
• Oregano: Herbaceous touch that complements the savory meat elements.

• Beef Broth: Delivers deep umami foundation and helps tenderize meat during slow cooking.
• Vegetable Oil: Neutral cooking fat for searing meat and sautéing vegetables.
• Flour: Creates silky sauce texture when mixed with water.
• Water: Used to create slurry for sauce thickening.

• Cilantro: Optional fresh herb that adds bright, herbaceous finish.

Tools That Help Prepare Carne Guisada Smoothly

• Large Pot or Dutch Oven: Essential for browning meat and building rich, complex flavors in the stew.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, green bell peppers, and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for precise vegetable and meat preparation.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot while cooking.
• Small Bowl: Used for mixing flour and water to create the thickening slurry.
• Measuring Spoons: Help accurately measure spices like cumin, chili powder, and oregano.
• Measuring Cups: Useful for portioning broth and oil.

Steps To Cook Carne Guisada With Flavor

• Sizzle the Meat

Brown beef chunks in a hot pot with oil, creating a golden crust that locks in amazing flavor. Work in batches to ensure perfect caramelization, then set browned pieces aside.

• Wake Up the Aromatics

Toss onions, peppers, and garlic into the same pot, letting them dance and soften until they release their mouthwatering fragrance.

• Create Flavor Layers

Splash in tomatoes and stir in a blend of spices that will make your taste buds sing. Let everything mingle and develop deep, rich notes.

• Slow Dance the Meat

Return beef to the pot, pour in broth, and let everything simmer gently. This is where magic happens – tough meat transforms into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

• Bring It All Together

Whisk flour with water to create a silky sauce thickener. Stir it in and let the stew become gloriously rich and velvety.

• Serve with Love

Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top and serve alongside warm rice or fresh tortillas. Get ready for a flavor explosion that’ll make everyone at the table happy.

Tips To Customize Carne Guisada Seasoning

• Perfect Meat Selection: Choose chuck roast or beef stew meat with good marbling to ensure tender, flavorful results that melt in your mouth during long, slow cooking.
• Slow Cooker Magic: Transform this recipe by transferring browned meat and ingredients to a slow cooker, cooking on low for 6-8 hours for ultra-tender beef with minimal hands-on time.
• Low-Carb and Keto Twist: Skip traditional rice and serve over cauliflower rice or alongside roasted low-carb vegetables like zucchini noodles for a diet-friendly alternative.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust heat by increasing or decreasing chili powder, or add diced jalapeños for extra kick; for milder versions, use smoked paprika sparingly and omit hot spices entirely.
• Freezer-Friendly Prep: Double the recipe and freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making meal planning easier and providing quick, delicious dinners on busy nights.

How To Serve Carne Guisada Comfort Style

• Hearty Rice Bowl Companion: Ladle the rich carne guisada over steamed white or brown rice, creating a comforting one-dish meal that soaks up all the delicious sauce.
• Tortilla Wrap Adventure: Shred the tender beef and wrap it in warm flour tortillas with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, making a satisfying handheld dinner that's perfect for casual gatherings.
• Side Dish Harmony: Pair the stew with creamy refried beans, crisp salad, and warm corn tortillas to create a complete Mexican-inspired feast that balances flavors and textures.
• Weekend Family Feast: Serve the carne guisada as a centerpiece dish for family dinners, encouraging everyone to gather around and enjoy the hearty, slow-cooked meal together.

Storage Recommendations For Carne Guisada Leftovers

• Smart Meal Prep Strategies: Portion cooked carne guisada into individual airtight containers for easy grab-and-go lunches during busy workweeks.
• Freezer-Friendly Batches: Refrigerate or freeze leftovers in sealed containers for up to 4 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer, maintaining rich flavors and tender meat texture.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated stew gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, adding a splash of beef broth to restore moisture and prevent meat from drying out. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly.
• Side Dish Companions: Prepare complementary rice, beans, or fresh tortillas in advance to streamline meal assembly and create a complete, satisfying dinner with minimal last-minute cooking effort.

Hearty Carne Guisada Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Hearty carne guisada from Puerto Rico blends tender beef with rich, aromatic spices. Savory slow-cooked stew delivers comfort and authentic flavor for those who crave traditional island cuisine.

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Ingredients

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• 2 lbs (900g) beef stew meat, cut into bite-sized chunks
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced (or 1 cup canned diced tomatoes)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps vegetable oil
• 2 tbsps tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth or water
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsps water (for slurry)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp oregano

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Instructions

1. Seasoning: Thoroughly coat beef chunks with salt, pepper, and spices, ensuring comprehensive flavor penetration.
2. Searing: Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, then brown meat in batches to develop a rich, caramelized exterior, creating a flavor foundation.
3. Aromatic Base: In the same pot, sauté onions, green bell peppers, and garlic until translucent, then add diced tomatoes and tomato paste to build a robust sauce.
4. Spice Infusion: Sprinkle cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, and oregano into the vegetable mixture, stirring to distribute spices evenly and intensify the dish’s complexity.
5. Liquid Integration: Return browned beef to the pot, pour in beef broth, and use a wooden spoon to scrape accumulated browned bits, maximizing flavor depth.
6. Slow Transformation: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the stew to simmer gently, transforming tough meat into tender, succulent morsels while periodically stirring to prevent sticking.
7. Sauce Refinement: Create a flour and water slurry, gradually incorporating it into the stew while stirring continuously to achieve a velvety texture and desired consistency.
8. Final Touch: Uncover the pot, reduce sauce to intensify flavors, then garnish with fresh cilantro and serve alongside steamed rice, warm beans, or soft tortillas.

Notes

• Optimize Meat Selection: Choose chuck roast or beef stew meat with excellent marbling for maximum tenderness and rich flavor profile.
• Control Searing Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat during meat browning to develop deep caramelization without burning, creating complex taste layers.
• Manage Liquid Consistency: Adjust beef broth quantity based on desired sauce thickness, using flour slurry strategically to prevent over-thickening or creating gluey texture.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Allow slow simmering for minimum 1.5-2 hours, which breaks down meat connective tissues and allows spices to fully integrate, resulting in more intense and harmonious taste experience.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 365
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 660mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Fiber: 3g
• Protein: 26g
• Cholesterol: 70mg