🥩🍲 Carne Guisada with Flour Tortillas
Carne Guisada is a hearty, flavorful beef stew popular in Tex-Mex cuisine. Tender beef is simmered in a rich gravy and served with warm flour tortillas — perfect for dipping or making tacos.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
For the Stew
- 2 lbs beef chuck or stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 2 bay leaves
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
For Serving
- 8–10 flour tortillas, warmed
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Brown the Beef
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Season beef with salt and pepper.
- Brown in batches, then remove and set aside.
2️⃣ Sauté Vegetables
- Add onions, bell peppers, and garlic to the pot.
- Cook 3–5 minutes until softened.
3️⃣ Add Flour
- Sprinkle flour over vegetables; stir 1–2 minutes to remove raw flavor.
4️⃣ Deglaze & Simmer
- Pour in beef broth and diced tomatoes, scraping up browned bits.
- Return beef to pot.
- Add cumin, chili powder, paprika, and bay leaves.
- Bring to a simmer, then cover and cook 1.5–2 hours on low until beef is tender.
5️⃣ Finish & Serve
- Remove bay leaves.
- Adjust salt and pepper.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
- Serve with warm flour tortillas for dipping or making tacos.
🌟 Tips for the Best Carne Guisada
- Use chuck roast or stew meat for tender, flavorful beef.
- Simmer slowly for richer flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day — flavors deepen overnight.
- Add a squeeze of lime over the top for a bright, fresh touch.
This classic Tex-Mex dish is perfect for family dinners or meal prep, pairing wonderfully with rice, beans, or fresh salsa.
If you want, I can also give a pressure cooker version that’s ready in under an hour.