Classic Carne Guisada Tacos
Toothbrushing toddlers should be an honorary Olympic event. No normal parent wants to repeat such experiences, thus it shouldn’t be an Olympic sport.
But you know how colleges give important people honorary degrees? That’s Olympic. Toddler-Teeth-Brushing comes first (followed by “Shopping at Costco with Multiple Children”).
Brushing kids’ teeth isn’t merely opening their mouths. The Death Grip—using both legs, arms, and elbows to straddle and grasp all child appendages—follows a warm-up pursuit and a tackle. I favor the Cross-Chest-Forearm-Pin.
By the time you get them to open their lips, they’re enraged and yell at you with tears. That’s simple. Crybabies can be brushed. You can go deep.When I liberated Truman the other day, he leaned down, picked up a tortilla chip, and ate it. Toddler: 1 Mom: 0.
Carne Guisada is delicious.
Carne guisada means “stewed beef.” Stew beef is special?
First, slow-cooked carne guisada transforms inexpensive beef into soft, fall-apart flesh. Low-slow heat breaks down its connective fibers, making the meat supple and delicious.
Carne guisada is deceptively easy. You may have all additional items at home! Tomato sauce, onion, cumin, beef bouillon, garlic powder, salt, and pepper are inexpensive ingredients. This little list suffices.
Carne guisada tastes great. AND odor. Carne guisada fills the home with the smell of properly seasoned meat and onions. Open the window and neighbors may flee. I helped you create friends, not apologize!
Carne Guisada?
Carne guisada means stewed meat. Slow-cooked beef with beef broth, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, and cumin is easy. In case these components don’t match Puerto Rican or Mexican carne guisada (now I want to taste those versions!), we’re cooking my brother-in-law’s grandma’s Tex-Mex dish.
Carne guisada’s origin?
Puerto Rican carne guisada became Mexican and Tex-Mex. Tender, juicy beef from an inexpensive, commonly accessible cut is easy to prepare.
Carne Guisada Taco ingredients
A simple shopping list is below. Ingredients and directions are in the recipe card below!
Stew or inexpensive roast (2-3 pounds)
Onion
Tomato sauce
Garlic dust
Beef broth
Cumin
Best beef for carne guisada?
Carne guisada’s slow cooking softens the meat’s connective fibers. Because I like ribeyes, I always purchase inexpensive pre-cut stew beef. Buy beef chuck or beef round instead of pre-cut stew meat. It’s also called “beef roast” or “pot roast” since it’s the same meat as a roast.
Carne Guisada recipe
Remember Traditional Tejano Pinto Beans? Today’s sister recipe. My brother-in-law’s Tejana grandma made this Carne Guisada also. Simple and nice. Except for the beef, which I occasionally freeze, all of the components are pantry staples. Stock up while stew beef is on sale.
The traditional recipe simmers for hours. Though low-maintenance, you must be home to care for it. I discovered that omitting most of the water in the crockpot works.
Here’s a cooktop and crockpot recipe summary. Recipe card directions are below!
Stove top:
Medium-high heat a big, high-sided skillet or wide-bottomed saucepan. Swirl the pan with a tablespoon of oil.
Add 1/3 of the seasoned beef to the pan. Brown everywhere. Put the meat on a dish and repeat.
Sauté onions in pan.
Return meat to pan. Water, tomato sauce, garlic powder, salt, meat bouillon, pepper, and cumin.
Boil and then simmer the ingredients. Simmer for 2-3 hours until meat is cooked and gravy thickens. Mix sometimes.
Crock pot:
Medium-high heat a big, high-sided skillet or wide-bottomed saucepan. Swirl the pan with a tablespoon of oil.
Add 1/3 of the seasoned beef to the pan. Brown everywhere. Put the meat on a dish and repeat.
Sauté onions in pan.
Add browned beef and sautéed onion to your crock cooker. 1/4 cup boiling water in a glass dish. Mix beef bouillon. Tomato sauce, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cumin in the measuring cup. Stir and pour over crock pot meat.
Low-cook 6-7 hours.
This recipe is for Carne Guisada (Stewed Beef). Not for shredding. Bite-size beef in rich gravy. Avoid over-stirring the meat in the crock cooker.
Serve the meat, rice, cheese, guacamole, and beans in a warm flour tortilla. I love it in burrito bowls, enchiladas, quesadillas, and on large salads, but this is my favorite way to consume it.a fork alone.
Served with carne guisada?
Serve carne guisada in a warm flour tortilla with rice, cheese, guacamole, and beans. This is my favorite way to eat it, but it would also be great in burrito bowls, enchiladas, quesadillas, topping a giant salad, or simply with a fork.
My fave carne guisada dishes!
Adam’s grandmother’s Tejano pinto beans. They may transform your view of beans forever!
Corn Salsa with Lime: A pleasant summer salsa.
Tex-Mex requires authentic pico de gallo.
Pass the tortilla chips, this dip is addicting!
Horchata—I could drink that all day.
Meat storage
Carne guisada may be refrigerated for 3-5 days or frozen for 3 months. Before storing it in the fridge, move it to another container or let the crockpot cool down.
Carne Guisada FAQs
HOW DO CARNE GUISADA AND CARNE ASADA DIFFER?
Carne guisada means “stewed meat” while carne asada means “roast meat.” Carne guisada is stewed, yet carne asada is grilled, which is perplexing. Carne asada is skirt steak, and carne guisada is beef roast, the cheaper the better. I love both—try my Juicy Skirt Steak Carne Asada with the Best Mojo Marinade!
How thicken Guisada?
My carne guisada thickens by itself. Long cooking creates gravy. If you don’t like the thickness of the guisada “gravy,” add a teaspoon or two of cornstarch to cold water, mix well, and toss into the slow cooker or pot towards the end.
What is carne guisada seasoning?
Texas residents purchase prepackaged carne guisada seasoning. Ha! However, H-E-B (IYKYK) is the only place to get that thing. Cornstarch, MSG, and common spices are in it. Today’s carne guisada requires simply beef bouillon, cumin, and garlic powder. Easy!
Why is my carneguisada tough?
You didn’t slow-cook it. If you cooked carne guisada too quickly or too hot, the connective tissue didn’t break down. Start that breakdown early!