Easy Carne Guisada With Flour Tortilla Recipe: Homemade Bliss
Authentic carne guisada brings tender, slow-cooked beef to your dinner table with incredible Mexican culinary magic.
Robust flavors meld together through patient simmering and traditional spice combinations.
Hearty meat becomes incredibly soft after carefully braising in rich tomato and pepper sauce.
Generations of home cooks have perfected this classic stew, passing down techniques that create deeply satisfying meals.
Warm flour tortillas complement the rich, savory meat perfectly, allowing you to scoop up every delicious bite.
Simple ingredients transform into something extraordinary with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
You won’t believe how easily this traditional dish comes together in your kitchen.
One taste will transport you straight to the heart of mexico’s incredible home cooking tradition.
Carne Guisada With That Homestyle Flavor Hit
Items Needed in Carne Guisada With Tortillas
For the Protein:For the Aromatic Vegetables:For the Seasonings and Thickeners:For the Liquid:For the Serving Suggestions:Instructions to Prepare Carne Guisada With Ease
Step 1: Sizzle and Brown Meat
Heat a large skillet over high heat and add oil. Toss in the stew meat, creating a golden-brown crust.
Add these ingredients:Cook until the meat develops a rich, caramelized exterior and the vegetables become soft and fragrant.
Step 2: Spice Up the Flavor
Introduce a burst of flavor by mixing in:Stir thoroughly to coat the meat evenly with the aromatic spices.
Step 3: Create a Silky Coating
Sprinkle flour over the meat mixture, stirring carefully to ensure each piece gets an even, light dusting. This will help thicken the sauce and create a luxurious texture.
Step 4: Build the Liquid Base
Slowly pour in water or beef stock, stirring continuously to prevent any lumps from forming. The liquid will begin to transform into a rich, velvety sauce.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the meat simmer gently. Allow the stew to cook for 1 to 1.5 hours, giving the meat time to become incredibly tender and the flavors to meld together.
Step 6: Final Flavor Adjustment
Taste the stew and adjust the seasonings.
Add more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your preference.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Plate the steaming hot carne guisada alongside fluffy rice, warm flour tortillas, or creamy mashed potatoes.
Garnish with fresh cilantro or a squeeze of lime for an extra flavor boost.
Smart Tips to Perfect Carne Guisada Stew
Flavor Styles to Change Up Carne Guisada
Sides to Serve With Carne Guisada Dish
How to Store Carne Guisada After Cooking
Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Transfer cooled Carne Guisada to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Place leftovers in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.
Pour Carne Guisada into a skillet, add a splash of water or broth to prevent drying, cover, and warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
FAQs
Carne guisada is a traditional Latin American beef stew that uses specific spices like cumin and typically has a thicker, more concentrated sauce compared to other meat stews, creating a rich and deeply flavored dish.
While beef is traditional, you can substitute with pork or goat meat for a similar slow-cooked, tender result. Just ensure you adjust cooking time based on the meat’s tenderness.
No special equipment is required. A large pan or Dutch oven with a lid works perfectly for creating this classic stew. A wooden spoon for stirring and a sharp knife for cutting meat are helpful.
Print
Carne Guisada With Flour Tortill Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
Hearty carne guisada brings Mexican comfort to your table with tender beef simmered in rich, spicy sauce. Warm flour tortillas complement this classic dish, inviting you to savor each delicious bite of traditional southwestern comfort.
Ingredients
Meat:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) stew meat
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 3 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon oil (lard, bacon grease, or vegetable oil)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced (optional)
- 3 tablespoons tomato sauce or 1 large tomato, diced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup water or chicken stock
Instructions
- Sear beef chunks and diced onions in hot oil until meat develops rich, caramelized exterior and onions turn translucent.
- Incorporate tomato sauce, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper, thoroughly coating meat with aromatic spices.
- Dust meat mixture with flour, gently stirring to create a light, even coating that will help thicken the sauce.
- Pour liquid stock gradually while continuously stirring to prevent flour from clumping and ensure smooth consistency.
- Bring liquid to rolling boil, then reduce heat to low, covering pan to allow meat to braise and tenderize slowly.
- Simmer for approximately 90 minutes, periodically checking meat’s tenderness and liquid reduction.
- Taste and calibrate seasoning profile, adding more salt or spices if needed for balanced flavor.
- Transfer tender, rich stew into serving dish, accompanying with warm flour tortillas, steamed rice, or creamy mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Enhance meat tenderness by choosing chuck or round cuts with good marbling for maximum flavor and softness.
- Use low and slow cooking method to break down tough meat fibers, creating melt-in-your-mouth texture and rich depth.
- Consider adding dried chiles like guajillo or ancho for authentic Mexican complexity and subtle smoky undertones.
- Substitute beef with chicken or pork for dietary variety while maintaining the classic stew preparation technique.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 330 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 1600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Clara Bennett
Contributing Recipe Developer & Food Writer
Expertise
Baking and Pastry Development, Gluten-Free and Allergy-Friendly Recipe Creation, Culinary Storytelling and Food Journalism, Recipe Testing and Standardization, Southern Comfort Foods and Modern Twists
Education
Sullivan University – National Center for Hospitality Studies
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Baking and Pastry Arts, Recipe Testing, and Culinary Journalism.
Clara specialized in crafting desserts that blend classic Southern comfort with modern techniques, while developing strong writing skills to tell the story behind every dish.
Lane Community College (Certificate Program)
Certificate in Food Writing and Photography
Focus: Culinary storytelling, recipe formatting, food styling, and visual presentation.
Clara’s love of baking started young, powered by homemade pies, biscuits, and stories passed around the family table.
After earning her degree at Sullivan University and a food writing certificate at Lane Community College, she turned her passion into a craft: sharing recipes that are simple, soulful, and always full of heart.
She’s big on bold flavors, flexible ideas, and creating sweets that fit any table (yes, even if you’re gluten-free). When she’s not baking, you’ll find her wandering farmers’ markets, styling food for the next photo shoot, or working on her ever-growing recipe journal.