Slow-Simmered Beef Stew (Carne Guisada) 🍲
Tender beef chunks slowly simmered in a richly spiced gravy, perfect for scooping into tortillas or serving over rice and beans.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 6)
For the Stew:
¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
3 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 tsp ground cumin
1½ tsp chili powder
1 tbsp tomato paste
1 beef bouillon cube
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
3–4 cups low-sodium beef broth
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish 🌿
👨🍳 Instructions:
1. Brown the Beef:
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Working in batches, sear beef until browned on all sides (about 5–7 minutes per batch). Set the beef aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables:
Add the remaining oil to the skillet. Sauté chopped onions and green bell pepper for about 3 minutes, until softened.
Add minced garlic and stir for 1 more minute, then toss in the diced tomatoes and cook for another minute.
3. Build the Flavor Base:
Season the mixture with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.
Stir in the tomato paste and crumble in the bouillon cube.
Sprinkle the flour evenly over the mixture and stir for 1–2 minutes to form a roux.
Gradually pour in 1 cup of broth, stirring constantly to form a thick base.
4. Simmer Until Tender:
Return the seared beef to the pan.
Pour in 2 more cups of broth, mix well, and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cover and cook on low for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add more broth if the sauce thickens too much during cooking.
5. Finish and Serve:
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.
Enjoy hot with fluffy rice, refried beans, or soft tortillas.
🌟 Tips & Variations:
Bolder Flavor: Don’t skip browning the meat — it adds a ton of depth.
Sauce Too Thin? Let it simmer uncovered to reduce and thicken.
Want Heat? Add a dash of cayenne or chopped jalapeños.
Make It Ahead: Flavors deepen overnight — it’s even better the next day!
⏰ Prep Time: 15 minutes
🔥 Cook Time: 2 hours
🍽️ Total Time: 2 hrs 15 min
⚡ Calories: Approx. 460 per serving