Ultimate Crock-Pot Carne Guisada: Easy Slow Cooker Mexican Beef Stew Recipe
Prepare to be amazed by this incredible Crock-Pot Carne Guisada. With just a few simple ingredients and the magic of your slow cooker, you can create a pot full of unbelievably tender meat swimming in a rich, deeply flavored sauce bursting with authentic Mexican and Tex-Mex influences. The aroma of this savory beef stew filling your kitchen as it simmers is simply irresistible and guarantees a satisfying meal.
Carne Guisada is a quintessential Tex-Mex dish, beloved for its comforting qualities and robust flavors. Often enjoyed with warm tortillas or tacos, fluffy rice, and savory refried or baked beans, this stew offers a culinary journey straight to the heart of Mexican comfort food. Our slow cooker version makes it incredibly easy to achieve restaurant-quality results at home, transforming humble ingredients into a spectacular meal with minimal effort.
What is Carne Guisada? An Authentic Mexican Stew
If you’ve ever explored the vibrant culinary landscape of Mexico or frequented Tex-Mex restaurants, you’ve likely encountered Carne Guisada on the menu. This delightful stew, deeply rooted in Mexican and Southwestern American cuisine, is celebrated for its remarkably tender meat served in a rich, often spicy, and always flavorful sauce. The term “Carne Guisada” literally translates to “stewed meat” from Spanish, perfectly describing its essence: slow-cooked meat that becomes incredibly succulent.
While beef is the most common protein used, especially in Tex-Mex variations, you can also find regional versions made with chicken or pork. Each region and even each family often boasts its own unique twist on this beloved dish, with subtle differences in spice blends, vegetable inclusions, and sauce consistency. The slow cooking process is key to achieving the signature tenderness and allowing the deep, complex flavors to fully meld together. It’s a true celebration of patience in cooking, resulting in a dish that is far greater than the sum of its parts.
It’s important to distinguish Carne Guisada from its more famous cousin, Carne Asada. While both feature “carne” (meat), Carne Asada refers to marinated, grilled beef, typically cut thin and cooked quickly over high heat. Carne Guisada, on the other hand, is a slow-simmered stew, embodying warmth, comfort, and deep, evolving flavors that only time can create. Our Crock-Pot recipe embraces this slow-cooking tradition, making it effortless to prepare a dish that tastes like it’s been simmering for hours in a traditional Mexican kitchen.
Essential Ingredients for this Flavorful Mexican Beef Stew
Crafting a truly exceptional Carne Guisada starts with selecting the right ingredients. Below, we’ll delve into the components that create this stew’s signature taste and texture. You can find the precise measurements for each ingredient in the detailed recipe card at the bottom of this page.
- Beef Chuck Roast: This is the star of our stew. Chuck roast is an ideal cut for slow cooking due to its rich marbling and connective tissues, which break down beautifully over low heat, yielding incredibly tender, shreddable meat. While chuck roast is highly recommended, you can also achieve excellent results with a round roast (top or bottom) or tri-tip roast, just ensure they are cut into uniform 1-inch cubes for even cooking.
- Broth: I prefer using chicken stock in this recipe because its mild flavor complements the other ingredients without overpowering them. However, feel free to use vegetable stock for a lighter touch or beef stock if you desire an even richer, deeper beefy flavor in your stew. One cup is sufficient to create a luscious sauce.
- All-Purpose Flour: A small amount of plain all-purpose flour plays a dual role in this recipe. First, it helps create a delicious crust on the beef when seared, locking in juices and adding depth of flavor through the Maillard reaction. Second, it acts as a thickening agent for the sauce, ensuring a velvety smooth consistency without any lumps.
- Aromatics & Spices: The foundation of any great Mexican dish lies in its aromatics and spices.
- Onion & Garlic: Essential for building a robust flavor base. Freshly chopped onion and minced garlic are crucial for that authentic taste.
- Ground Cumin: This spice is non-negotiable for Carne Guisada. It provides that distinctive earthy, warm, and slightly peppery flavor that defines Mexican cuisine.
- Salt & Black Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the other flavors. Seasoning in layers is key to a well-balanced dish.
- Optional Spices: If you prefer a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of ground chili powder, cayenne pepper, or even a diced jalapeño to the sautéed aromatics. For a deeper, smoky note, a touch of smoked paprika can also be a wonderful addition. However, this recipe is crafted to be family-friendly, so extreme heat is optional.
- Fresh Tomato: A diced fresh tomato adds a bright acidity and freshness that cuts through the richness of the beef and grounds the sauce with a subtle sweetness.
Gathering these quality ingredients is the first step towards a truly unforgettable slow cooker Carne Guisada.
How to Make Flavorful Slow Cooker Carne Guisada
Creating this tender and savory Carne Guisada in your slow cooker is surprisingly straightforward. While the full recipe with precise measurements and comprehensive steps is available in the printable recipe card at the end of this article, here’s a simplified overview of the process:
- Sauté Aromatics: Begin by heating a tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent, about 3 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and ground cumin, cooking for another 30 seconds until fragrant. This crucial step “blooms” the spices, intensifying their flavors and creating a rich foundation for your stew. Transfer this flavorful mixture to your slow cooker.
- Brown the Beef: In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of oil. Toss your 1-inch beef chuck roast cubes with flour until lightly coated. Working in batches if necessary (to avoid overcrowding the pan and ensure proper browning), sear the floured beef on all sides until golden brown. This browning step is vital for developing deep, savory flavors through the Maillard reaction and helps thicken your sauce. Once browned, transfer the beef to the slow cooker with the onion mixture.
- Combine and Season: Add the diced tomato, salt, pepper, and chicken broth to the slow cooker. Stir everything together gently to ensure the beef and aromatics are well-combined and coated in the liquid. This blending of ingredients allows the flavors to melt together beautifully during the long cooking process, ensuring every bite of your Carne Guisada is packed with that authentic Tex-Mex taste.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Secure the lid on your slow cooker. Set it to the LOW setting and let it cook for 6 to 8 hours. If you’re short on time, you can set it to HIGH for 4 to 6 hours. The extended cooking time on LOW ensures the beef becomes incredibly fork-tender and the sauce develops maximum depth and richness. Resist the urge to lift the lid frequently, as this releases heat and extends cooking time.
That’s all there is to it! Your slow cooker does most of the work, leaving you with a fantastic Mexican beef stew that’s perfect for any occasion.
Delicious Ways to Serve Your Carne Guisada
Carne Guisada is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many ways, making it perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prepping. Here are some of the most popular and delicious serving suggestions:
- Classic Taco or Tortilla Filling: One of the most beloved ways to enjoy Carne Guisada is as a savory filling for soft tortillas or crispy tacos. Simply spoon the tender beef and sauce into warm corn or flour tortillas. Enhance your tacos with classic toppings like freshly chopped white onion, diced tomatoes, cilantro, a dollop of cool sour cream or Mexican crema, and a sprinkle of shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese. This creates a customizable and interactive meal that everyone will love.
- Hearty Mexican Stew Platter: For a more complete and substantial meal, serve your Carne Guisada as the centerpiece of a Mexican stew platter. Pair it with a generous portion of fluffy fried rice (or Mexican red rice), a side of savory baked beans (or refried beans), and a crisp green salad for a refreshing contrast. It’s also fantastic alongside nacho chips for scooping, or with warm flatbread to soak up all that delicious sauce. Consider serving it with fried rice with garlic broccoli for an added vegetable boost and texture.
- Loaded Burrito Bowls: Create vibrant and healthy burrito bowls by layering your Carne Guisada over a bed of cilantro-lime rice, topped with black beans, corn salsa, avocado slices or guacamole, and a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce.
- With Roasted Vegetables: For a lighter option, serve Carne Guisada with a side of roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or sweet potatoes. The flavors complement each other beautifully.
- Over Pasta or Polenta: For an unexpected twist, serve the rich beef stew over a bed of creamy polenta or even your favorite short pasta. The hearty sauce pairs wonderfully with these comforting bases.
No matter how you choose to serve it, this Crock-Pot Carne Guisada promises a delicious and satisfying experience!
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
Equipment
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slow cooker
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Chef’s knife
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frying pan
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 onion , chopped, white onion
- 1 tomato , cut into cubes ½ x ½ cm
- 3 cloves garlic , squeezed
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 ½ pound chuck roast , cut into 1-inch cubes (2-cm)
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- â…› teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth, vegetable stock or beef stock
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
Instructions
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Heat a frying pan with oil over medium-high heat.1 tablespoon oil
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Add the onion and stir fry for 3 minutes until translucent.1 onion
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Add the tomato, garlic, and cumin and stir-fry for 30 seconds.1 tomato, 3 cloves garlic, 2 teaspoons ground cumin
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Place the contents of the skillet in the slow cooker and add 1 tablespoon of oil to the frying pan.1 tablespoon oil
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Combine beef cubes with the flour and put them in the frying pan.2 tablespoons flour, 1 ½ pound chuck roast
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Cook until the meat is golden brown on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes.
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Also, put the meat in the slow cooker.
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Add salt, pepper, and stock to the slow cooker and put the lid on.¼ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 cup chicken broth
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Turn on the slow cooker on low and cook for 6 to 8 hours.
Notes
For this recipe, we recommend using beef chuck roast, as its marbling and connective tissue break down perfectly during slow cooking, resulting in incredibly tender meat. However, excellent alternatives include a round roast (top or bottom) or a tri-tip roast, all cut into 1-inch cubes for consistent cooking.
2. – Broth Selection
We suggest 1 cup (250 ml) of chicken stock for its subtly mild flavor, which allows the other Mexican spices to shine. For a richer, beefier stew, opt for beef stock, or use vegetable stock for a lighter base without compromising on flavor.
3. – The Role of Flour
Coating the beef with flour before browning is a crucial step. It not only aids in developing a beautiful golden crust on the meat, enhancing its flavor, but also acts as a natural thickener for the sauce, ensuring a smooth, lump-free consistency as it cooks in the slow cooker.
4. – Slow Cooker Settings and Times
For the most tender results and deepest flavor development, set your slow cooker to LOW and cook for 6 to 8 hours. If you need a faster cooking time, the HIGH setting will have your Carne Guisada ready in 4 to 6 hours, though the texture might be slightly different.
5. – Stovetop Adaptation (No Slow Cooker?)
No slow cooker? No problem! You can easily adapt this recipe for a Dutch oven or a large, heavy-bottomed skillet. Follow the initial steps to brown the vegetables and then the floured meat. After adding all remaining ingredients, bring the stew to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for approximately 3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender. Check periodically and add a little more broth if it gets too thick.
6. – Serving Suggestions
This versatile stew is wonderfully delicious served with traditional Mexican sides like baked beans (or refried beans) and fluffy rice. It’s fantastic as a filling for warm corn or flour tortillas/tacos, and can be garnished with fresh cilantro, diced onions, or a dollop of sour cream. Don’t forget a fresh green salad for balance!
7. – Storage & Reheating Tips
Always allow your Carne Guisada to cool to room temperature quickly before storing.
- Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, portion the braised beef and its rich sauce into freezer-safe containers or bags. It will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheat: Gently reheat the stew over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally, until it is thoroughly warmed through. You may add a splash of broth if the sauce has thickened too much.
8. – Nutritional Value
The nutritional values provided here are calculated per person for the Carne Guisada itself, excluding any side dishes or toppings you might add.
Nutrition
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- Spicy Minced Beef Tacos with Salsa