Carne Guisada Braised Beef Recipes

SOUTH TEXAS CARNE GUISADA

Steps:

• Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place the beef sirloin in the Dutch oven and cook until the cubes are brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion, red bell pepper, tomatoes, garlic, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, paprika, and water.
• Continue cooking, stirring often, until the meat is tender, about 30 minutes.

TRADITIONAL TEJANO CARNE GUISADA (BRAISED BEEF FOR TACOS)

Steps:

• Heat a large, high-sided skillet (or a wide-bottomed pot), over medium high heat.
• Salt and pepper the beef chunks.
• Add about a tablespoon of oil to the pan and swirl. It should start to shimmer if the pan is hot enough.
• Add 1/3 of the seasoned meat to the pan. Place the pieces of meat so that they are not touching each other (You don't want them to steam--see photos). Turn the pieces with tongs to brown all sides. Remove to a plate and repeat 2 more batches, adding more oil as necessary.
• Remove the final batch of meat, then add the onions to the pan, adding more oil first if there is none left.
• Saute the onions over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, or until mostly cooked through. Do your best to scrape up the browned bits.
• Return the meat to the pan. Add the water, tomato sauce, garlic powder, salt**, beef bullion, pepper, and cumin.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. You want there to be some movement. If the mixture is completely still, turn it up a little. I had my burner set just below medium.
• Simmer for 2-3 hours, or until the meat is tender and the gravy has thickened. Stir occasionally.
• To serve authentically, put the meat, some rice, cheese, and guacamole in a warm flour tortilla.
• It's important to note that this is not a shredded beef recipe; "Carne Guisada" literally means "Stewed Beef" so you want it to be just like beef stew, but without any veggies.
• Don't add 3 cups of water! Read on:
• Brown the meat and saute the onion as instructed above. Add the meat and onion to a crock pot. In a glass measuring bowl, measure out 1/4 cup HOT water. Add the beef bouillon and dissolve. Add the tomato sauce, garlic powder, salt**, pepper, and cumin to the measuring cup. Stir and combine, then pour over the meat in the crock pot, stirring to coat.
• Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
• Remove the lid for the last half hour of cook time, and turn the heat up to high. This is to burn off some of the excess liquid. If it's at a consistency you like, you can skip that step.
• It's important to note that this is not a shredded beef recipe; "Carne Guisada" literally means "Stewed Beef" so you want it to be just like beef stew, but without any veggies.

CHIPOTLE CARNE GUISADA (BEEF STEW MEAT BRAISED W/CHIPOTLE)

Steps:

• Season the beef stew meat with the cumin, salt and pepper. Set aside.
• In a large frying pan, heat oil and add the onions, bell pepper and tomatoes on medium high heat. Saute for about 5-7 mins or until translucent. Add the seasoned meat and brown (on High heat) for about 7-10 minutes.
• Add 2 cups of hot water to the pan. Add the bullion, chipotle sauce/pepper Sazon Goya and stir.
• Cover and cook on medium high heat for about 45 mins or until most of the liquid is absorbed then uncover and add 1 more cup of water. Cover and simmer for another 30 mins or until liquid is almost absorbed. Uncover and add another 1 cup of water and cilantro. Cover and simmer for 20-30 mins more. Turn heat off and let stand, covered, for another 10-15 mins for liquid to thicken. Serve with rice.

CARNE GUISADA (STEWED BEEF)

Steps:

• Prepare the adobo: Combine the adobo ingredients in a small bowl, or blend in a large pilón or mortar and pestle.
• Prepare the guisado: Pat meat dry and put in a medium lidded bowl or a resealable bag. Evenly coat with the adobo and let marinate for at least 30 minutes at room temperature, or in the refrigerator overnight.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large lidded, heavy-bottomed pot over high. Working in batches as needed to prevent crowding, add beef, shaking loose any additional adobo beforehand. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, flipping often to brown evenly. Transfer meat to a clean bowl and set aside.
• Lower heat to medium, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and pour in sofrito, adding olive oil as needed if the pan is too dry. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until liquid has evaporated.
• Add sazón and sauté for 1 minute. Add the broth (or water), tomatoes and their juices, and bay leaves, and scrape up any browned bits using a wooden spoon.
• Nestle meat into sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, then cover with a lid and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Add carrot and celery, and cook, covered, for 1 more hour, adding more water or broth if needed. At this stage, check the tenderness of the meat. It should start to get close to falling apart when pressed with the back of a spoon.
• Add potatoes and cook, covered, for 30 minutes more, until meat and potatoes are cooked through and tender.
• Adjust salt to taste, and serve on a plate or in a shallow bowl over a mound of white rice.