This Mexican Carne Guisada con Papas is a traditional comfort dish made with tender chunks of beef slowly simmered with potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, and warm Mexican spices. The result is a rich, flavorful stew with a savory gravy that is perfect served with warm tortillas, rice, or beans.
Ingredients
For the Carne Guisada
- 2½ lbs (1.1 kg) beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
- 3 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1–2 jalapeños, chopped (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 cup water (as needed)
Seasonings
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp Mexican oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Optional Additions
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- ½ cup peas
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for smoky heat
Instructions
1. Brown the Beef
- Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels.
- Season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat.
- Brown the beef in batches until deeply seared on all sides.
- Remove beef and set aside.
2. Build the Flavor Base
- In the same pot, add onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in cumin, chili powder, oregano, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper.
- Add tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to deepen the flavor.
3. Simmer the Carne Guisada
- Return the beef to the pot.
- Add tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapeños, bay leaf, beef broth, and water.
- Bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1½–2 hours until the beef is tender.
4. Add the Potatoes
- Add the chopped potatoes during the last 30–40 minutes of cooking.
- Continue simmering until the potatoes are tender and the gravy has thickened.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Stir in cilantro and lime juice before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Carne Guisada con Papas with:
- Warm flour tortillas
- Corn tortillas
- Mexican rice
- Refried beans
- Charro beans
- Fresh avocado
- Pico de gallo
- Salsa verde
- Pickled jalapeños
Tips for the Best Carne Guisada con Papas
- Use beef chuck roast for the most tender, flavorful meat.
- Searing the beef first creates a deeper, richer gravy.
- Cut potatoes into similar-sized pieces so they cook evenly.
- Cook low and slow — the beef should almost fall apart.
- For thicker gravy, mash a few potato pieces into the sauce before serving.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat slowly on the stovetop with a splash of beef broth if needed.
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Mexican Carne Guisada con Papas Recipe (Tender Beef and Potato Stew)
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