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Carne Guisada

Chunks of beef slow-braised in a savory, chile-spiced gravy until fork-tender — a beloved Tex-Mex home-cooking staple.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 120 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Carne guisada - tender beef simmered in rich brown gravy with peppers and onions

Carne guisada is the slow-braised beef stew of South Texas — chunks of beef simmered for hours in a rich, chile-spiced gravy until they’re fall-apart tender. It’s the filling of choice for breakfast tacos and the heart of countless Texas kitchens.

Chef Emily presents Carne Guisada

The slow-braised stew of South Texas

Beef chunks simmered low and slow in a rich chile gravy until fall-apart tender — carne guisada, the Texas classic.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Brown the beef in batches in the oil until deeply seared, about 6 minutes per batch. Remove and set aside.
  2. Cook the onion and bell pepper in the same pot until soft, 5 minutes. Add the garlic.
  3. Return the beef with the tomatoes, broth, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  4. Simmer covered 1 1/2 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the gravy is thick.
  5. Serve in warm flour tortillas.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Sear the beef in batches for deep flavor, and simmer low and slow — patience is the whole recipe. Serve in warm flour tortillas or over rice.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook120 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 16, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →