Mexican Carne Guisada con Papas (Beef Stew with Potatoes) is a classic, hearty comfort dish popular in many Mexican households. It’s made with tender chunks of beef slowly stewed in a rich, flavorful tomato-based sauce with potatoes. Here’s a traditional-style recipe to make it at home:
🌮 Mexican Carne Guisada con Papas Recipe
🕰️ Prep Time:
20 minutes
🍳 Cook Time:
1.5 to 2 hours
🍽️ Servings:
4–6
🧂 Ingredients:
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2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast or similar), cut into 1-inch cubes
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1.5 tbsp oil (vegetable or olive oil)
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4–5 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
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1 small white onion, chopped
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2–3 cloves garlic, minced
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2 medium tomatoes, chopped (or 1/2 cup tomato sauce)
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1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, chopped (optional, for heat)
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2 tsp ground cumin
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1 tsp chili powder (optional)
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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2 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon)
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Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
🔪 Instructions:
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Brown the Meat
In a large pot or deep skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef cubes in batches (don’t overcrowd), season with salt and pepper, and brown on all sides. Set aside browned beef. -
Sauté Veggies
In the same pot, reduce heat to medium. Add a little more oil if needed. Sauté onion, garlic, and chopped pepper until softened and fragrant (about 3–5 mins). -
Add Tomato and Seasonings
Add chopped tomatoes (or tomato sauce), cumin, chili powder, and stir well. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to break down the tomatoes and combine flavors. -
Return Meat and Add Liquid
Return the browned meat to the pot. Pour in the beef broth or water, making sure the meat is mostly submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 1–1.5 hours, or until meat is tender. -
Add Potatoes
Add cubed potatoes and simmer uncovered for another 20–30 minutes, or until potatoes are fork-tender and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir occasionally and taste for salt. -
Optional Garnish
Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving.
