Ingredients
Meat and Oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons oil
- 2 pounds chuck steak, cubed
Vegetables
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 large bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
Liquids
- 2 cups beef broth
Instructions
- Heat Oil and Cook Onions: Begin by heating oil in a pot over medium heat. Once hot, add the chopped onions and cook until they become translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Meat: Add the cubed chuck steak to the pot, browning all sides thoroughly to seal in the juices and develop flavor, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Bell Peppers: Stir in the chopped bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes until they soften slightly.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste and Tomatoes: Mix in the tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to enhance its flavor. Then add the diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes so they start breaking down.
- Add Flour and Beef Broth: Sprinkle the flour over the mixture and cook for a minute to remove the raw taste. Pour in the beef broth to create the stew base.
- Season and Simmer: Season with salt, pepper, ground cumin, and chili powder. Stir well, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Slow Cook the Stew: Cover the pot and let the stew simmer gently for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add water if the stew becomes too thick to maintain a good consistency.
- Final Touch and Serve: Once the meat is tender and stew is thickened, serve the carne guisada warm. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro to add bright flavor.
Notes
- Use chuck steak for the best tenderness and flavor after slow cooking.
- Simmer gently to avoid toughening the meat.
- Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.
- Serve with rice, tortillas, or beans for a complete meal.
- Leftovers reheat well and flavors deepen after resting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Stew
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Latin American