1800s-present - Mexican American families and Tex-Mex cooks in Texas and the borderlands

Carne Guisada

Name: Carne Guisada
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 45 min
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 2 pounds beef chuck, cut in 1-inch cubes; 2 tablespoons oil; 1 onion, chopped; 1 bell pepper or poblano, chopped; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon flour; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder; 1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces; 2 cups beef broth; 1 serrano or jalapeno, minced, optional; Salt and black pepper, to taste; Flour tortillas, rice, or beans, for serving

Carne guisada means stewed meat, and in Texas it is a beloved Mexican American home-cooking and Tex-Mex restaurant dish. Cubed beef cooks slowly with chiles, tomatoes, aromatics, and gravy until it can be spooned into tortillas or served as a plate lunch.

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Difficulty

Moderate

Prep time

20 minutes

Cook time

1 hour 45 minutes

Total time

2 hours 5 minutes

Servings

6 servings

Region

Texas, South Texas, and Mexican American borderlands

Era introduced

1800s-present

Introduced by

Mexican American families and Tex-Mex cooks in Texas and the borderlands

Recipe tools

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The Story

Carne guisada is comfort food with a borderlands accent. Some versions are tomato-forward, some brown and gravy-like, and some include potatoes. In Texas, it belongs equally to home kitchens and Tex-Mex restaurants, where it can become breakfast tacos, lunch plates, or a filling for flour tortillas. The key is patient simmering until the beef is tender and the sauce clings.

Ingredients

2 pounds beef chuck, cut in 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons oil
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper or poblano, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 can diced tomatoes, 14.5 ounces
2 cups beef broth
1 serrano or jalapeno, minced, optional
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Flour tortillas, rice, or beans, for serving

Equipment

Dutch oven
Large pot
Skillet
Oven
Cutting board
Chef's knife
Measuring cups and spoons

Directions

Season beef with salt and pepper.
Brown beef in oil in a Dutch oven.
Add onion and pepper and cook until softened.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Sprinkle with flour, cumin, and chili powder; stir well.
Add tomatoes, broth, and serrano or jalapeno if using.
Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until beef is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
Uncover and reduce sauce if needed.
Season to taste and serve with tortillas, rice, or beans.

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Carne Guisada

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The Story

Ingredients

Equipment

Directions

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Community Reviews

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