Carne Guisada, a beloved staple in Latin American cuisine, is a hearty and flavorful beef stew that's perfect for a comforting and satisfying meal.
This dish features tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich tomato-based sauce, infused with aromatic spices and brimming with tender vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and peppers.
Imagine succulent beef, fall-apart tender, bathed in a savoury sauce, studded with colourful vegetables that have absorbed all the delicious flavours.
It's a culinary hug in a bowl, a dish that warms you from the inside out and leaves you feeling completely satisfied.
This recipe provides a straightforward guide, ensuring that your Carne Guisada turns out perfectly every time, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser ready to tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Directions:
- Step 1: Sear the Beef
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the beef cubes in batches and sear on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- Step 2: Sauté Vegetables
Add the onion to the pot and cook until softened about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes, until slightly softened.
- Step 3: Add Remaining Ingredients
Add the carrots, potatoes, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, cumin, oregano, chilli powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir well.
- Step 4: Simmer
Return the seared beef to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 2 hours or until the beef is very tender.
- Check occasionally and add more beef broth if needed to keep the stew from drying out.
- Step 5: Serve
Remove the bay leaf. Ladle the Carne Guisada into bowls and garnish with chopped cilantro. Serve hot.
Serving and Storage:
Serving:
Carne Guisada is best served hot, straight from the pot. It's traditionally served with rice, but it's also delicious with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Storage:
- Refrigerating: Store leftover Carne Guisada in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.
Tips for Success:
- Good Quality Beef: Use good quality beef stew meat for the best flavour and texture. Chuck roast or round roast are good options.
- Sear the Beef Well: Searing the beef adds depth of flavour to the stew. Don't overcrowd the pot when searing.
- Low and Slow: Simmering the stew for a long time at low heat makes the beef incredibly tender and allows the flavours to meld together.
- Adjust Seasonings: Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Add more or less spices, salt, and pepper.
- Fresh Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds a touch of freshness and brightens the flavour of the stew.
Variations:
- Spicy Carne Guisada: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Add Other Vegetables: Add other vegetables, such as peas, corn, or green beans, to the stew.
- Use Different Broth: Use chicken broth instead of beef broth.
- Add Wine: Add a cup of red wine to the stew for added flavour.
- Instant Pot Carne Guisada: Cook the stew in an Instant Pot for a faster cooking time.
FAQ:
Yes, you can use frozen beef. Make sure it is fully thawed before cooking.
Yes, Carne Guisada is even better the next day. You can make it ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer.
The beef is cooked through when it is very tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Yes, you can use any large pot or Dutch oven.
You can thicken the stew by simmering it uncovered for a while longer or by adding a slurry of cornstarch and water (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water).
Carne Guisada is a delicious, hearty, and comforting stew that's perfect for any occasion.
The combination of tender beef, flavorful sauce, and tender vegetables is simply irresistible.
Whether you're looking for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a comforting meal on a cold day, this stew is sure to please.
Enjoy the rich flavours, the tender beef, and the satisfying warmth of this classic Latin American dish.
It's a perfect way to bring a taste of Latin America to your kitchen and create a memorable culinary experience.
The long-simmering process transforms simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful and satisfying meal, a true testament to the magic of slow cooking.
This stew is a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients transformed into something extraordinary through time and patience.
CARNE GUISADA
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers (red, green, or a combination), chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup water (or more, if needed)
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- Chopped cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Sear the beef: Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches and sear on all sides until browned. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the onion and bell peppers to the pot and cook for 5-7 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more, until fragrant.
- Add sauce and spices: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, water, bay leaves, oregano, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Return beef to pot: Add the seared beef back to the pot. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
- Add potatoes and carrots: Add the cubed potatoes and chopped carrots to the stew. Continue to simmer, covered, for another 30-45 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Add peas (optional): Stir in the frozen peas during the last 15 minutes of cooking time.
- Taste and adjust: Taste the stew and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Serve: Remove the bay leaves. Serve the carne guisada hot, garnished with chopped cilantro. It's delicious served with rice, tortillas, or crusty bread.
Notes
- Beef: Beef chuck is the best cut for this stew because it becomes very tender and flavorful during the long braising process.
- Vegetables: You can add other vegetables to the stew, such as celery, green beans, or corn.
- Spices: Adjust the spices to your liking. You can add more or less of any of the spices, or add other spices such as paprika or smoked paprika.
- Slow Cooker: You can also make carne guisada in a slow cooker. Brown the beef and sauté the vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to the slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- Make-Ahead: Carne guisada is even better the next day! Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
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