If you are looking for a meal that feels like a warm hug, this authentic Carne Guisada is exactly what you need. This rich, comforting Latin American beef stew features incredibly tender chunks of beef simmered slowly in a savory, perfectly spiced tomato sauce.
Whether you are serving it over a bed of fluffy rice, alongside creamy mashed potatoes, or scooped up with fresh, warm flour tortillas, it is guaranteed to become a quick favorite at your dinner table.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to this dish is the slow simmer. Giving the beef enough time to cook low and slow ensures it becomes fork-tender while soaking up all the incredible spices. Best of all, it only requires simple, accessible pantry staples to put together.
Ingredients You Will Need
Here is everything required to make this hearty stew:
- Stew meat: 3 lbs (cut into bite-sized chunks)
- Cooking oil: 1 tablespoon (lard, bacon grease, or standard vegetable oil all work beautifully)
- Medium onion: 1 (diced)
- Small green bell pepper: 1 (diced — this is optional, but highly recommended for extra flavor)
- Tomato sauce: 3 tablespoons (you can also substitute with diced fresh tomatoes)
- Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon (or swap for minced fresh garlic)
- Ground cumin: 2 teaspoons
- Salt: 2 teaspoons
- Black pepper: ½ teaspoon
- All-purpose flour: 2 tablespoons
- Liquid: 1 cup of water or chicken stock
- For serving: Flour tortillas, rice, or mashed potatoes
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brown the Meat and Sauté the Aromatics Place a large pan or Dutch oven on the stove and heat your oil over high heat. Add your stew meat, diced onion, and the green bell pepper. Brown the meat well on all sides, breaking it up slightly as it cooks. Keep cooking until the onions are nice and soft, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes.
2. Add the Flavorings Once the meat is browned, stir in the tomato sauce, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Give it all a good mix so the meat and vegetables are fully coated in the spices.
3. Thicken and Create the Sauce Sprinkle the all-purpose flour evenly over the meat mixture. Stir it thoroughly to ensure there are no dry flour lumps left behind. Next, pour in your water or chicken stock and mix well so everything combines into a smooth, rich sauce.
4. Simmer to Perfection Bring the entire mixture to a gentle boil, and then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover your pan tightly with a lid and let the stew cook for 1 ½ hours. The longer you let it simmer, the more tender the beef will be!
5. Adjust and Serve After the meat has become perfectly fork-tender, give the sauce a quick taste. Adjust the salt, pepper, or cumin if needed. Serve piping hot with your choice of warm flour tortillas, rice, or mashed potatoes. Enjoy!
