I receive many emails from y’all, asking when I’ll be writing about a certain favorite Texan food. I’ve had requests for everything from deep-fried pickles to peanut-butter pie. But the most requested recipe is for carne guisda.
Carne guisada, which translates to “stewed meat,” is a slow-simmered dish that varies across the state. Some people make their carne guisada with pork, others with chicken. The most common meat used, however is beef.
Another variable with carne guisada is how the gravy is made. Some people opt to cook their meat with tomatoes, potatoes and sweet bell peppers, while others just simmer the beef in water and chiles.
You’ll see your carne guisada as a group of distinct cubes floating in a rich sauce. And you’ll see your carne guisada where the meat has cooked so long it’s hard to tell where the meat ends and the gravy begins. My carne guisada, like my chili, deliciously falls into the latter category.
Actually, the way I make my chili is very similar to the way I make my carne guisada. I start with a four-pound beef roast and cut it into one-inch cubes. I chop up my onions, my garlic and my chiles, sear the beef and then throw everything in a pot with some beer and water and let it cook for several hours.
The difference, however, between my chili and my carne guisada is the types of peppers I use. For my chili, I use smoky red chiles such as chipotles and anchos; for my carne guisada I use bright green chiles such as jalapenos and serranos. There are a couple of other differences as well. A tomato will never be seen in my chili, but I don’t mind adding a few to my carne guisada. I would never add a bay leaf to my chili pot, but I like the nuance it adds to my carne guisada. And while my chili making tends to be improvisational, I have a set recipe for carne guisada from which I rarely stray.
Carne guisada can be a meal in itself, served in a bowl with tortilla chips. It’s also wonderful nestled between refried beans and rice. I like to wrap it up in flour tortillas for tacos, and the leftovers are a hearty topping on a pile of scrambled eggs.
So for all that asked about carne guisada—here is my recipe. Now I have to say that this is my recipe, so it might not be like your grandmother’s recipe because that’s the thing about carne guisada—everybody’s is different all over the state of Texas.
How do you make your carne guisada?
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Carne guisada
Servings 8
Author Lisa Fain
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chuck or bottom round beef, cut into 1-inch cubes
- Salt
- Pepper
- 4 tablespoons peanut oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 jalapeno chiles, seeded and, diced
- 2 Serrano chiles, seeded and diced
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juices or 3 fresh tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups water
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle of dark Mexican beer such as Negro Modelo
Instructions
Lightly toss the beef with salt and pepper. In a large pot or a Dutch oven, brown the beef on medium high heat in 2 tablespoons of the oil. You may have to do this in batches.
Remove beef from pot, add the final 2 tablespoons of peanut oil and cook on medium heat the onions, jalapeños, and Serranos chiles for about 10 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
Throw in the browned beef, add the cumin, chili powder, oregano, cilantro, bay leaf, tomatoes, water, and beer and mix everything really well. Add salt to taste.
Turn the heat up to high and bring to a boil and then turn the heat down to low and simmer uncovered for 2-4 hours, depending on how tender you want your meat. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serve warm.
Notes
If you want your meat to be distinct cubes rather than strings, lessen the cooking time. If you cook the stew for less time, you may also need to add some flour to thicken the gravy. Take out a 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid, stir into it a 1 tablespoon of flour and then incorporate this back into the stew. Stir until gravy has thickened. Also, I like my meat in big stringy chunks, but if you prefer smaller pieces, cut the meat into 1/2 inch cubes.
FAQs
Carne guisada, which translates to “stewed meat,” is a slow-simmered dish that varies across the state. Some people make their carne guisada with pork, others with chicken. The most common meat used, however is beef. Another variable with carne guisada is how the gravy is made.
What is the difference between guisado and guisada? ›
What is the difference between guisada and guisado? Guisada is typically served with something else (beans, rice, flour tortillas) whereas guisado is a one-pot meal. Make this guisado by adding potatoes or sweet potatoes to this great recipe.
What is the difference between chili con carne and carne guisada? ›
Both chili and carne guisada are prepared in a similar manner with similar ingredients, but chili receives a much more aggressive dose of chiles and spices.
Is carne guisada the same as carne asada? ›
What is the difference between carne guisada and carne asada? Carne guisada is a stewed beef dish, whereas carne asada is a grilled beef dish. Carne asada contains steak, while guisada typically involves a less tender cut of beef. Both dishes are staples in Mexican cuisine!
What is guisada in English? ›
Carne guisada is Spanish for 'stewed meat'.
Is carne asada a cow or pig? ›
Carne asada, which in English means "grilled meat," is beef. For this Mexican dish, one-inch-thick steaks are marinated in lime juice and seasonings, grilled, and then cut into thin strips. Carne asada is either served as a main course typically with rice and beans, or used as a filling for tacos or burritos.
What is guisado in Mexico? ›
Guisados are stews, yes, but they are also, as the root word “guiso” implies, in a larger sense, cooked dishes. That can include stir-fries and fried items. Fritters made with battered and deep-fried cauliflower or purslane are commonly listed on the menus of guisado joints.
What is the origin of carne guisada? ›
Carne guisada, which translated means beef stew, is a Latin dish that originated in Puerto Rico and has been adapted in one form or another into Mexican and/or Tex-Mex cuisine.
What is carne asada in English? ›
The term carne asada in Spanish translates to roasted or grilled meat in English. That's why it's important to recognize that, in Mexico, carne asada refers to how the beef is cooked rather than a specific recipe. Think of it as like how Americans refer to chicken cooked on the grill as grilled or barbecued chicken.
Is chili con carne Texan or Mexican? ›
Speaking of hot things, at San Antonio they have a dish called chili con carne. It is of Mexican origin, and is composed of beef, peas, gravy and red pepper.
The Mexican equivalent of Chilli con Carne is Frijoles Charros. It's more of a soup based Chilli. But they sometimes add pastor meat to it along with onions and cilantro and Manchego cheese.
Why is it called carne asada? ›
Carne asada means “grilled meat” in Spanish. This term may sound simple, but this dish is more than food: it's an important social event in the everyday life of Mexicans, particularly in northern states like Nuevo León, Coahuila and Sonora.
Can dogs eat carne guisada? ›
So, let's say you've prepared carne asada, and your furry friend is making it very clear they want some, too. Is it safe for them? Yes, dogs can eat carne asada occasionally, but it should not become part of their regular diets.
What is carne asada called in Mexico? ›
The term carne asada is used in Mexico and refers to the style of grilled meat in those countries. In South America, the term used for grilled meat is asado and it has a different style and preparation.
What meat is closest to carne asada? ›
In Spanish, Carne literally means “flesh/meat/beef” and Asada means “roast/broiled/grilled,” so “grilled meat.” When it comes to “carne asada” in cooking, the term refers to grilled and sliced beef, usually skirt, flank or flap steak. The steak is associated with a charred flavor from searing the meat on the grill.
What cut of meat is used for carne? ›
In Central and South America, we call pretty much any barbecued or grilled meat asado (or carne asada). The BEST cuts for the Mexican version of the dish we all know and love are either skirt steak or flank steak. Personally, I prefer skirt steak (pictured).
What kind of meat is carne asada at Mexican restaurant? ›
What Is Carne Asada? Let's start with the basics—carne asada is a traditional Mexican dish composed of marinated skirt steak or flank steak that has been grilled and thinly sliced. The term carne asada in Spanish translates to roasted or grilled meat in English.
What meat is the same as carne asada? ›
Carne asada is grilled and sliced beef, usually skirt steak, flap steak, or flank steak though chuck steak (known as diezmillo in Spanish) can also be used. It is usually marinated then grilled or seared to impart a charred flavor. Carne asada can be served on its own or as an ingredient in other dishes.
What part of beef is carne asada? ›
Carne asada is beef that has been marinated and grilled. When translated from Spanish, carne asada literally means “grilled meat.” Pretty simple, right? The most common type of meat used to make carne asada is skirt steak or flank steak.
