The Best Carne Guisada Recipe (Tender Mexican Beef Stew)

Carne Guisada is a classic Mexican and Tex-Mex comfort dish made with tender chunks of beef slowly simmered in a rich, flavorful gravy with tomatoes, peppers, onions, and warm spices. It is perfect served with warm tortillas, rice, or beans.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs (900 g) beef chuck roast, cut into 1½-inch cubes
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil or olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 2–3 jalapeños, finely chopped (optional)
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup water (as needed)
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Mexican oregano
• ½ tsp ground coriander
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime

Instructions

1. Season and Brown the Beef

1. Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels.
2. Season generously with salt and black pepper.
3. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat.
4. Brown the beef in batches until nicely seared on all sides. Remove and set aside.

2. Build the Flavor

1. In the same pot, add the onions and bell pepper.
2. Cook for 5–6 minutes until softened.
3. Add the jalapeños and garlic and cook for another minute.
4. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, coriander, and oregano.
5. Cook for 1–2 minutes to release the flavors.

3. Simmer the Carne Guisada

1. Return the browned beef to the pot.
2. Sprinkle the flour over the meat and stir well to coat.
3. Add the tomatoes, beef broth, bay leaf, and enough water to mostly cover the meat.
4. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low.
5. Cover and simmer for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender and the gravy is rich and thick.

4. Finish the Dish

1. Remove the bay leaf.
2. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
3. Stir in fresh cilantro and lime juice before serving.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Carne Guisada with:

• Warm flour or corn tortillas
• Mexican rice
• Refried beans
• Fresh avocado
• Pico de gallo
• Sour cream
• Pickled jalapeños
• Fresh cilantro and lime wedges

Tips for the Best Carne Guisada

• Use chuck roast for the most tender and flavorful results.
• Browning the beef first creates a deeper, richer flavor.
• Low and slow cooking is the secret to melt-in-your-mouth meat.
• The gravy becomes even better the next day after the flavors have time to develop.
• For a thicker gravy, mash a few pieces of the cooked vegetables and stir them back into the sauce.

Storage

• Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat gently on the stove with a splash of beef broth if needed.