Carne Guisado
I have been craving this dish for the past week and finally got around to making it. This was one of my favorite dishes growing up 🤤 IYKYK this is a traditional Puerto Rican dish that brings comfort to your soul and sleep to your mind 😁 I made white rice to go along with this but didn't get a picture, my son was ready to eat 😂🤣
👩🏻 Ingredients 🥩
5 lbs of beef cubes
potatoes
carrots
onions
thyme
rosemary
salt & pepper to taste
cilantro
goya tomato sauce
fresh garlic
adobo
sazon
garlic powder
bay leaf
chicken bullion cubes
Sofrito
Detailed Steps: I like to make the base of stew at the same time I sear my beef. I can't tell you how it will taste using the store brought broth or stock because I've never done it. In my stew pot, I add my sofrito, tomato base, and fresh garlic. Simmer until it's mixed well. I added 8 cups of water, 4 bullion cubes, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, sage and onions. While you wait for the boil, I sear my beef cubes until brown on all sides. (DO NOT FULLY COOK) I seasoned my beef cubes with sazon, adobo, onion & garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika.
Once they are brown, add them to stew pot along with carrots. Let simmer together while you cut potatoes. Add potatoes to cook for last 15-20 min depending on size. Once done, let stand for about 15 min before serving.
Additional tips/notes: I use vinegar to clean all my meats especially chicken!
There's something so incredibly comforting about a good stew, isn't there? My Puerto Rican Carne Guisado, or Stewed Beef as many call it, is definitely at the top of my list for ultimate comfort food. But did you know 'Guisado' is such a beloved concept across so many cultures? When I first started exploring different Latin American kitchens, I realized that while my family's recipe holds a special place, there are amazing variations out there. You might find a hearty Mexican Carne Guisado with a richer, spicier sauce, or even a delicious 'Guisado de Puerco' (pork stew) that's just as tender and flavorful. It shows how versatile the idea of slow-cooked meat and vegetables can be! While my recipe focuses on beef, the core principle of a flavorful, slow-cooked stew is universal. Sometimes people confuse it with 'carne dorada' (fried meat) or 'picada carne' (minced meat), but our Carne Guisado is all about that incredible tender, fall-apart texture from stewing. Speaking of versatility, while I love my Puerto Rican Carne Guisado with simple white rice – it absolutely devours it! – it's fun to experiment with serving suggestions. Sometimes I'll serve it with a side of tostones (fried plantains) or even some crusty bread to soak up all that amazing sauce. For those looking for a complete meal, it’s also fantastic alongside a simple green salad or a side of avocado. It's not quite 'arroz con carne' where the rice is cooked in the meat, but it pairs perfectly with a side of fluffy white rice, making for a truly satisfying meal. I've also had friends ask about making it a bit lighter, maybe a 'low sodium beef stew' version. My tip for that is to be mindful of store-bought seasonings like adobo and sazon, which can be high in salt. You can still get incredible flavor by relying more on fresh herbs like cilantro, thyme, and rosemary, and building a strong base with plenty of fresh garlic and sofrito. You'd be surprised how much flavor you can get without adding extra salt! Also, ensure you use low-sodium chicken bullion or even a homemade broth base for more control. And for those wondering about the best cuts for this kind of 'carne de guisar' (stewing meat), I always go for beef cubes from cuts like chuck roast or round. They become incredibly tender when slow-cooked for hours, absorbing all those delicious flavors from the sofrito, Goya tomato sauce, and herbs. This Puerto Rican Carne Guisado is more than just a meal; it's a hug in a bowl, a taste of home that brings comfort to your soul. I hope you enjoy making and sharing this traditional Stewed Beef as much as I do!
