“Experience the rich and comforting flavors of Carne Guisada with Flour Tortillas, a beloved Mexican dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to the table. Made with tender stew meat, aromatic onions, and optional green bell pepper, this hearty stew is infused with traditional spices like cumin and garlic, creating a tantalizing aroma that fills the kitchen.
Simmered to perfection in a savory tomato-based sauce thickened with flour, the meat becomes fork-tender, offering a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s truly irresistible.
Served alongside warm flour tortillas, rice, or creamy mashed potatoes, this dish is a celebration of flavor and tradition that’s perfect for sharing with loved ones. Get ready to savor every bite of this comforting and soulful meal.”
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Rich, Savory Flavor: The combination of tender stew meat, cumin, garlic, and tomato creates a rich and flavorful sauce that soaks into the meat, making every bite deliciously savory and satisfying.
Comforting and Hearty: This dish is perfect for those looking for a comforting, filling meal. The tender meat in a savory gravy is a classic, hearty favorite that pairs wonderfully with warm flour tortillas, rice, or mashed potatoes.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor: With just a few basic ingredients, this recipe delivers amazing depth of flavor. The addition of spices like cumin and garlic enhances the dish without being overwhelming.
Tender, Melt-in-Your-Mouth Meat: The slow cooking process ensures that the meat becomes incredibly tender, making it easy to shred or cut with a fork—perfect for a comforting, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Versatile and Easy to Customize: Whether you serve it with rice, tortillas, or mashed potatoes, this dish can be enjoyed in many ways. Plus, you can adjust the seasoning or add vegetables to suit your preferences.
Key Ingredients:
Stew meat: The main protein, which becomes tender and juicy as it cooks slowly in the flavorful sauce.
Tomato sauce or fresh tomato: Adds a rich, tangy base to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor.
Garlic: Provides aromatic depth and enhances the savory taste of the meat and sauce.
Cumin: A warm, earthy spice that adds depth and complexity to the flavor profile.
Flour: Helps thicken the sauce, creating a smooth, rich gravy.
Onion and bell pepper: Offer sweetness and an aromatic base for the dish.
Stock or water: Forms the cooking liquid that combines with the seasonings to create a flavorful sauce.
Carne Guisada With Flour Tortillas
Ingredients:
3 lbs stew meat
1 tablespoon oil (lard, bacon grease, etc)
1 medium onion, diced
1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional)
3 tablespoons tomato sauce or 1 large tomato, diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup water or chicken stock
Flour tortillas, rice or mashed potatoes, for serving
Directions:
In a large pan, brown the stew meat, onions and green pepper (if using) over high heat.
Add the tomato sauce (or tomato), garlic powder (or fresh garlic), cumin, salt and pepper and stir well.
Sprinkle the flour over the meat and mix well. Add the water (or stock) and mix well so there are no lumps.
Bring to a boil, cover pan and reduce heat to low. Cook for 1 ½ hours, or until meat is tender.
Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Serve with rice, tortillas or mashed potatoes.
Enjoy !!
Notes:
Meat Selection: Choose a tender cut of stew meat for best results. Beef chuck or round are common choices, but you can also use pork or even chicken for variation.
Browning the Meat: Browning the meat, onions, and green pepper (if using) before simmering adds depth of flavor to the dish. Ensure the pan is hot enough to achieve a nice sear on the meat.
Tomato Sauce vs. Fresh Tomato: While tomato sauce provides convenience and consistency, using fresh tomatoes adds a vibrant freshness to the dish. Choose whichever option you prefer based on availability and personal taste.
Thickening the Sauce: Sprinkling flour over the meat helps thicken the sauce as it simmers. Be sure to mix well to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth consistency.
Cooking Time: Simmer the carne guisada over low heat for at least 1 ½ hours, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together. This slow cooking process allows the meat to become fork-tender and absorb the delicious sauce.
Adjusting Seasonings: Taste the carne guisada before serving and adjust the seasonings as needed. You can add more salt, pepper, or cumin to suit your preferences.
Serving Suggestions: Carne guisada is traditionally served with warm flour tortillas for scooping up the tender meat and flavorful sauce. However, you can also serve it with rice or mashed potatoes for a heartier meal. Consider garnishing with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime juice for added brightness.
Nutrition Information:
YIELD: 8 SERVING SIZE: 1
Amount Per Serving: CALORIES: 366 | TOTAL FAT: 20g | SATURATED FAT: 6.5g | TRANS FAT: 0g | CHOLESTEROL: 112mg | SODIUM: 699mg | CARBOHYDRATES: 5g | FIBER: 1g | SUGAR: 2g | PROTEIN: 2g | POTASSIUM: 530mg
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make carne guisada in a slow cooker.
Brown the meat, onions, and green pepper in a skillet first, then transfer them to the slow cooker.
Add the remaining ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Can I use cornstarch instead of flour as a thickening agent?
Yes, you can use cornstarch as a thickening agent.
Mix 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch with an equal amount of cold water and then stir it into the stew to thicken it.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
To make the carne guisada spicier, you can add chopped jalapeño or serrano peppers, or increase the amount of black pepper or add some crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to taste.
Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can use other types of meat like pork or chicken, but the cooking time may vary based on the meat used.
Make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure the meat is cooked through and tender.
How can I prevent the flour from forming lumps when adding it to the meat mixture?
To prevent lumps, you can mix the flour with a small amount of cold water or stock to create a slurry before adding it to the pan.
Stir the slurry well to ensure there are no lumps, and then gradually pour it into the meat mixture while stirring continuously.
What type of oil is best for browning the meat in this recipe?
You can use any type of high-heat oil such as vegetable oil, canola oil, or even lard or bacon grease, as mentioned in the recipe.
Each type of oil will impart a slightly different flavor to the dish, so choose the one that best suits your taste preferences.
How do I know when the meat is tender enough to serve?
The meat should be tender enough to easily shred with a fork when it’s ready to serve.
If the meat is still tough after the suggested cooking time, continue to cook it on low heat, checking for tenderness every 15-20 minutes until it reaches the desired texture.
Can I use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas for serving?
Yes, you can use corn tortillas instead of flour tortillas for serving the carne guisada.
Both types of tortillas work well with this dish, so choose the one you prefer or that fits your dietary needs.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?
Yes, you can add other vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or zucchini to the carne guisada.
Be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that the added vegetables are cooked through and tender.
