In my house, we enjoy Mexican food at least once a week. Some of our favorites include chile Colorado, marinated carne asada, chile verde, pumpkin enchiladas, chicken fajita foil packets and this savory carne guisada. My local Mexican restaurant makes the absolute best carne guisada. I decided it was time to learn to make this classic dish at home! It turns out that this tender beef is actually quite simple to make, with ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
Carne Guisada Ingredients
To make this recipe, you will need vegetable oil, beef stew meat, salt, black pepper, onion, green bell pepper, garlic, all purpose flour, tomatoes, tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, chili powder, paprika, beef broth and cilantro.
How Do You Make Carne Guisada?
Start by searing the beef until it’s golden brown. Add peppers and onions to the pot, then cook until the veggies are soft. Stir in some flour to help thicken the sauce. Next, add in fresh diced tomatoes along with tomato sauce, beef broth and an assortment of seasonings. Cover the pot, and let the meat simmer on the stove until it’s fork tender. Add some cilantro, then serve and enjoy.
Tips For The Perfect Dish
You can make carne guisada up to two days before you plan to serve it. The meat will become even more flavorful as it sits in the sauce. Reheat the beef in a pan on the stove over low heat until warmed through. Try preparing carne guisada in the slow cooker. Follow the recipe through step 7, then transfer the ingredients to a crock pot. Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6 hours. This dish is a great candidate for the freezer. Place the cooked meat into airtight containers or freezer bags, and store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator over night, then reheat on the stove. I like to serve my meat with flour tortillas or corn tortillas, white rice or pinto beans and rice, as well as homemade pico de gallo to add a fresh flavor and some color. It’s also great with a dollop of Chipotle guacamole on top.
Flavor Variations
While I find this meat to be delicious as-is, you can experiment with different ingredients to make the flavors your own.
Meat: Some varieties of this dish use sirloin, which is a lean cut of meat that does not need to cook for long. You can use sirloin, just be careful to make sure it doesn’t overcook! This dish also works with pork shoulder, although that is not a traditional choice for guisada. Spice: If you prefer your food on the hot and spicy side, feel free to add 1-2 canned chipotle peppers or 1/2 teaspoon (or more!) of crushed red pepper flakes. Vegetables: Feel free to add some veggies such as potatoes, carrots or poblano peppers. Toppings: Top your stewed beef with cotija cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, diced tomatoes, fresh avocado or a drizzle of crema.
You will love this classic dish! It’s an easy way to enjoy authentic restaurant style flavors into the comfort of your own home.
Carne Guisada Video
