¡Ah, Carne Guisada con Papas! 😋 This is a classic Latin American / Tex-Mex-style beef stew—hearty, comforting, and packed with tender beef, potatoes, and rich, savory sauce. Here’s a tried-and-true recipe.
🥘 Carne Guisada con Papas (Beef Stew with Potatoes)
Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
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2 lbs (900 g) beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
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3–4 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
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1 large onion, chopped
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1 green bell pepper, chopped
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 tbsp vegetable oil
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1–2 tsp ground cumin
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1–2 tsp paprika
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1 tsp dried oregano
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2–3 cups beef broth (or enough to cover meat)
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1 can (14 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes (optional)
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Salt & black pepper to taste
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Optional: fresh cilantro for garnish
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Optional: 1–2 tsp chili powder for a bit of heat
Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef
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Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
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Season beef with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika.
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Brown beef on all sides (~5–7 min). Remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté Aromatics
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In the same pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until soft (~3–4 min).
3️⃣ Build the Stew
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Return beef to the pot.
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Add diced tomatoes (if using) and beef broth—enough to cover meat.
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Stir in oregano and chili powder (if using).
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Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer 1–1½ hours, until beef is tender.
4️⃣ Add Potatoes
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Add diced potatoes and simmer 20–30 min, until potatoes are soft and stew has thickened.
5️⃣ Adjust Seasoning & Serve
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Taste and adjust salt and pepper.
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Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.
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Serve with rice, warm tortillas, or crusty bread.
Pro Tips
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Browning the beef well = deeper flavor.
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Simmer low and slow for melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
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If the stew is too thin, mash a few potatoes in the pot to naturally thicken it.
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For richer flavor, a splash of beer or red wine works beautifully.
I can also give a pressure-cooker / Instant Pot version that makes it in under 45 minutes while still tender and flavorful.