carne guisada

Name: Carne Guisada
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Yield: 7
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 - green bell pepper; 1 medium onion; 3 clove(s) garlic (large); 2 large tomatoes; 3 pound(s) boneless beef shoulder roast (or stew meat); 2 teaspoon(s) ground cumin; 1 tablespoon(s) (heaping) lard (vegetable oil or olive oil can be substituted but will not give it the same flavor); 1 tablespoon(s) salt; 1 teaspoon(s) ground pepper; 1/2 cup(s) water; 1 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour

(83 RATINGS)

2.60K Pinches 25 Photos

Emma Menchaca

San Juan, TX

Updated on Oct 29, 2025

This carne guisada is the same recipe my mother and grandmother used. Very simple and DELICIOUS!!!

Rate

Blue Ribbon Recipe

Muy Bueno! Seasoned perfectly, this Carne guisada is very, very good. The combination of fresh vegetables and cumin is fabulous. Once cooked, the meat is tender with a sauce that gets thickened at the end. This stew is simple to prepare but does take time to cook down. Don't rush it... The key to this recipe is low and slow. Serve with Emma's Mexican Rice recipe for a comforting Mexican meal.

— The Test Kitchen

prep time 20 Min

cook time 3 Hr

method Stove Top

yield 7 serving(s)

Ingredients

1 - green bell pepper
1 medium onion
3 cloves garlic (large)
2 large tomatoes
3 pounds boneless beef shoulder roast (or stew meat)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon (heaping) lard (vegetable oil or olive oil can be substituted but will not give it the same flavor)
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

How To Make carne guisada

Test Kitchen Tips

Make sure to occasionally stir while this is simmering and check if more water is needed. After about 2 hours, we added 1/2 cup of water.

Step 1

In a large stovetop pan, add lard (or oil) and turn heat to medium.

Step 2

Cut up shoulder roast to 1-inch cubes and add to pan. Roughly chop the tomato and add on top of meat.
Step 3

Remove seeds from bell pepper. Rough chop and add to the top of ingredients.
Step 4

Rough slice onion and add to the pan.
Step 5

Chop garlic cloves small and thin and add to the top of the pan.
Step 6

Add cumin, salt, and pepper.
Step 7

Now stir all ingredients together. At this time the aromas should be AMAZING!
Step 8

Place lid on top and cook on LOW for 3 hours. Stir occasionally.
Step 9

30 minutes before carne guisada is ready, add flour to the 1/2 cup water. Stir flour mixture into the pot.
Step 10

Now you will notice that the vegetables have cooked down to practically nothing. They have converted to pure flavor!
Step 11

Let simmer on low for the next 20-30 minutes. This recipe is so amazingly simple. No fancy ingredients. If this is not the best carne guisada recipe you have ever tried please let me know! Please feel free to add your special touches if you wish but this recipe has not changed for 100 years. It will bring your family together and is so Mexican and traditional.
Step 12

The final product sits with traditional Mexican rice and homemade flour tortillas. I hope you enjoy it as long as my family has enjoyed it. Love to cook and cook with love!
Last Step: Don't forget to share! Post a picture of your finished recipe here and on your favorite social network. Don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes!

Nutrition Facts

(per serving*)

calories: 399kcal, carbohydrates: 8g, cholesterol: 157mg, fat: 14g, fiber: 2g, protein: 57g, saturated fat: 6g, sodium: 1136mg, sugar: 3g, unsaturated fat: 8g

*Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Nutrition information is estimated.

Discover More

Comment & Reviews

Just A Pinch Sweepstakes