Carne Guisada is a rich, slow-simmered beef stew popular in Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. Made with tender chunks of beef, a savory tomato-based gravy, and warm spices, it’s comforting and deeply flavorful. When served with soft homemade flour tortillas, it becomes a hearty, soulful meal that’s perfect for any day of the week.
⏱️ Prep Time
- Carne Guisada Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1.5 to 2 hours (simmering)
- Tortilla Prep + Cook: 30–40 minutes
- Total Time: ~2.5 hours
🧰 Equipment
For Carne Guisada:
- Large Dutch oven or heavy pot
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Knife and cutting board
For Flour Tortillas:
- Large mixing bowl
- Rolling pin
- Cast iron skillet or griddle
- Clean kitchen towel
📝 Ingredients
🍖 Carne Guisada
- 2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck or round), cut into bite-size cubes
- 2 tbsp oil (vegetable or lard)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large tomato, chopped (or 1/2 cup crushed tomatoes)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste (optional, for deeper flavor)
- 1½ cups beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional: pinch of oregano, jalapeño for heat
🌾 Flour Tortillas (makes ~8)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup lard, shortening, or vegetable oil
- ~3/4 cup warm water
👩🍳 Instructions
🍲 Carne Guisada
- Brown the Beef:
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Brown the beef in batches, seasoning lightly with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- In the same pot, add a bit more oil if needed.
- Sauté onion and bell pepper until soft, ~5 minutes.
- Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds more.
- Build the Gravy:
- Add tomato, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, and flour.
- Stir well for 1–2 minutes to coat and cook off raw flour taste.
- Simmer:
- Return beef to pot and add beef broth.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- Cover and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until beef is tender and gravy is thick. Stir occasionally and add a splash of water if needed.
- Adjust Seasoning:
- Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
🍞 Flour Tortillas
- Mix Dough:
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, salt, and baking powder.
- Add lard/oil and mix until crumbly.
- Slowly add warm water and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Knead & Rest:
- Knead dough for 5–7 minutes until smooth.
- Cover and rest for 20–30 minutes.
- Shape:
- Divide dough into 8 equal balls.
- Roll out each ball on a floured surface into ~8-inch circles.
- Cook:
- Heat a dry skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook tortillas one at a time, ~30 seconds per side, until bubbles form and brown spots appear.
- Keep warm wrapped in a towel.
🍴 To Serve
- Spoon carne guisada into warm flour tortillas.
- Optional toppings: diced onions, jalapeños, cilantro, shredded cheese, or a squeeze of lime.
🔢 Nutrition Facts (Approx. per serving)
Serving: 1/8 of Carne Guisada + 1 flour tortilla
- Calories: ~400
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: ~400mg
💡 Tips
- Slow simmer = tender beef. Don’t rush the stew!
- Make extra tortillas and freeze them—they reheat beautifully.
- You can make the carne guisada in advance and reheat for tacos, rice bowls, or breakfast burritos.
- For a thicker gravy, mash a few chunks of meat into the sauce at the end.
🔁 Variations
- Spicy Guisada: Add jalapeños or chipotle peppers in adobo.
- Tex-Mex Style: Use enchilada sauce instead of tomatoes for the base.
- Chunkier Version: Add diced potatoes halfway through simmering.
- Short on time? Use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot to speed up cooking.
