Carne Guisada with floor tortillas represents the heart and soul of Tex-Mex cuisine, delivering a comforting meal that brings families together around the dinner table. This traditional slow-cooked beef stew captures the essence of Mexican home cooking, where tender chunks of beef are lovingly simmered in a rich, flavorful gravy that develops deep, complex flavors over time. The magic of Carne Guisada with floor tortillas lies in its simplicity and versatility, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or special weekend gatherings.
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Why You Need to Try This Authentic Carne Guisada with Floor Tortillas Recipe
This beloved dish showcases how humble ingredients can transform into something extraordinary when given proper attention and care. The tender beef, infused with aromatic spices and vegetables, creates a satisfying protein that pairs beautifully with warm, soft floor tortillas. Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory meat, aromatic herbs, and comforting warmth that speaks to the soul of traditional Mexican cooking.
What makes Carne Guisada with floor tortillas particularly appealing is its ability to feed a crowd without breaking the budget. This economical dish stretches affordable cuts of beef into a hearty meal that satisfies even the hungriest appetites. The slow-cooking process breaks down tough meat fibers, resulting in incredibly tender beef that practically melts in your mouth. Whether you’re cooking for your family or entertaining guests, this recipe guarantees satisfaction and creates lasting memories around shared meals. The combination of tender meat wrapped in soft floor tortillas creates the perfect handheld comfort food that everyone will love.
Perfect Comfort Food: Carne Guisada with Floor Tortillas
This authentic Carne Guisada with floor tortillas recipe delivers restaurant-quality results in your own kitchen. The slow-simmered beef develops incredible depth of flavor while becoming fork-tender through gentle cooking. Traditional spices and fresh vegetables create a rich gravy that perfectly complements the tender meat. Served alongside warm, soft floor tortillas, this dish transforms simple ingredients into an unforgettable meal. The beauty of Carne Guisada with floor tortillas lies in its versatility, working equally well for casual family dinners or special occasions when you want to impress guests with authentic Mexican flavors.
Storage Options
Store leftover Carne Guisada in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight, making it perfect for meal prep. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Store floor tortillas separately at room temperature for 2-3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave wrapped in damp paper towels.
Summary
This traditional Carne Guisada with floor tortillas recipe features tender beef chunks slow-cooked in a savory gravy with onions, bell peppers, and authentic Mexican spices. The dish requires minimal hands-on time but delivers maximum flavor through patient simmering. Served with warm floor tortillas, it creates the perfect comfort food combination that’s both satisfying and budget-friendly.
Equipment
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Can opener
- Small bowl for mixing spices
- Ladle for serving
- Comal or large skillet for warming tortillas
Ingredients
For the Carne Guisada:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast or beef stew meat, cut into 2-inch cubes
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 large white onion, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
For serving:
- 12-16 fresh floor tortillas
- Mexican rice (optional)
- Refried beans (optional)
- Shredded cheese (optional)
- Sour cream (optional)
- Salsa (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the beef: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Brown the meat: Heat vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, brown the beef cubes on all sides, about 8-10 minutes total per batch. Remove browned beef and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables: In the same pot, add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Create the roux: Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 2 minutes to cook out the flour taste. Add tomato paste and cook for another minute.
- Build the sauce: Gradually add beef broth while stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add diced tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, paprika, oregano, and bay leaf. Stir well to combine.
- Combine and simmer: Return the browned beef to the pot along with any accumulated juices. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Final seasoning: Remove bay leaf and taste for seasoning. Adjust salt and pepper as needed. Stir in fresh cilantro if using.
- Warm tortillas: Heat floor tortillas in a dry skillet over medium heat for 30 seconds per side, or wrap in damp paper towels and microwave for 30-45 seconds.
- Serve: Ladle Carne Guisada into bowls and serve immediately with warm floor tortillas and desired accompaniments.
Notes
- Choose chuck roast or other tough cuts of beef that benefit from slow cooking. These cuts become incredibly tender when braised properly.
- Don’t skip browning the meat as it adds essential flavor to the final dish.
- The stew should have a slightly thick consistency. If too thin, simmer uncovered for additional time to reduce the liquid.
- Fresh floor tortillas make a significant difference in the overall experience of this dish.
Tips for Success
Meat Selection: Use well-marbled cuts like chuck roast, which break down beautifully during slow cooking. Avoid lean cuts that will become tough and dry.
Proper Browning: Take time to properly brown the beef in batches. This creates fond on the bottom of the pot that adds tremendous flavor to the gravy.
Low and Slow: Keep the heat low during simmering to prevent the meat from becoming tough. The gentle bubbling should be barely perceptible.
Thickness Control: If your Carne Guisada becomes too thick, add warm beef broth gradually. If too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce the liquid.
Flavor Development: The dish tastes even better the next day as flavors meld together overnight in the refrigerator.
Additional Tips and Variations
Spice Variations: Add jalapeños or serrano peppers for heat, or include a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce for smoky flavor. Some cooks add a square of Mexican chocolate for richness.
Vegetable Additions: Include diced potatoes, carrots, or poblano peppers for extra vegetables and flavor complexity.
Slow Cooker Method: After browning meat and sautéing vegetables, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Pressure Cooker Option: Use an Instant Pot or pressure cooker to reduce cooking time to about 45 minutes under high pressure with natural release.
Make-Ahead Strategy: This dish freezes beautifully. Make double batches and freeze portions for quick weeknight meals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use a different cut of beef for Carne Guisada with floor tortillas? A: Yes, beef short ribs, brisket, or even beef cheeks work well. Avoid lean cuts like sirloin or tenderloin as they won’t become tender through braising.
Q: How do I know when the meat is properly tender? A: The beef should easily shred with a fork when properly cooked. If it’s still tough, continue simmering covered for another 30 minutes and check again.
Q: Can I make Carne Guisada with floor tortillas ahead of time? A: Absolutely! This dish actually improves in flavor when made a day ahead. Store in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop, adding broth if needed.
Q: What’s the best way to reheat leftover Carne Guisada? A: Reheat slowly on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of beef broth if the mixture seems too thick.
Q: Can I freeze Carne Guisada with floor tortillas? A: The meat stew freezes excellently for up to 3 months. Freeze floor tortillas separately. Thaw both overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Conclusion
This authentic Carne Guisada with floor tortillas recipe brings the warmth and comfort of traditional Mexican cooking to your table. The combination of tender, slow-cooked beef in rich gravy paired with soft floor tortillas creates a satisfying meal that feeds both body and soul. Whether you’re serving family dinner or entertaining guests, this dish delivers restaurant-quality results with ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
The beauty of Carne Guisada with floor tortillas lies in its simplicity and versatility. Once you master this basic recipe, you can customize it with your favorite spices and vegetables to create your own signature version. The slow-cooking process requires patience but rewards you with incredibly tender meat and deep, complex flavors that develop over time.
Make this recipe your own by experimenting with different pepper varieties, adding vegetables, or adjusting the spice level to suit your family’s preferences. Serve alongside Mexican rice, refried beans, and fresh garnishes for a complete feast that celebrates the rich culinary traditions of Mexico. Your kitchen will be filled with amazing aromas, and your family will gather eagerly around the table for this comforting, delicious meal.