Description
This Crock Pot Carne Guisada is a comforting and flavorful slow-cooked beef stew made with tender chunks of beef, sautéed vegetables, and a robust blend of spices. Cooked low and slow in a Crock Pot, it develops a rich and hearty gravy that pairs perfectly with rice, tortillas, or crusty bread for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast or sirloin), cut into bite-sized cubes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for searing)
Optional Ingredients
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- Rice, tortillas, or crusty bread (for serving)
Instructions
- Sear the beef: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef stew meat in batches and sear on all sides until browned. This step locks in flavor and texture. Transfer the seared meat to the Crock Pot.
- Sauté the vegetables: Using the same skillet, add chopped onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant, then transfer them to the Crock Pot with the seared beef.
- Add liquids and spices: Into the Crock Pot, add the diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, tomato paste, ground cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, black pepper, and salt. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Slow cook: Cover the Crock Pot and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. This slow cooking breaks down the beef to tender perfection and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Thicken the gravy (optional): If thicker gravy is desired, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Stir this into the Crock Pot about 30 minutes before serving, and cook for the additional half hour until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish: Once cooked, sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro on top, if desired, to add a fresh herbal note.
- Serve: Serve the carne guisada hot alongside rice, warm tortillas, or crusty bread for a complete and hearty meal.
Notes
- Searing the meat before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be skipped for convenience.
- The cornstarch slurry step is optional but recommended if you prefer a thicker sauce.
- You can use different cuts of beef stew meat, but chuck roast works best due to its tenderness after slow cooking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt, after cooking.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeño during the sauté step.
