Here’s a comforting and hearty recipe for Carne Guisada with Rice and Fresh Beans — a Latin American and Tex-Mex classic featuring tender stewed beef in a rich gravy, often served with Mexican rice and freshly cooked pinto or black beans.
🍲 Carne Guisada with Rice & Fresh Beans
🔥 What is Carne Guisada?
“Guisada” means “stewed,” and Carne Guisada typically features beef simmered slowly in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with peppers, onions, garlic, and spices until melt-in-your-mouth tender.
🥩 Carne Guisada Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
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2 lbs beef stew meat (chuck roast or round, cut into 1-inch cubes)
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2 tablespoons oil
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1 medium onion, chopped
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1 bell pepper, chopped (green or red)
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 large tomato, diced (or 1/2 can diced tomatoes)
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1 tablespoon tomato paste (optional, for depth)
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2 cups beef broth
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1 teaspoon ground cumin
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1/2 teaspoon chili powder
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1/2 teaspoon oregano
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Salt & pepper, to taste
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1 tablespoon flour or cornstarch (to thicken, optional)
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Chopped cilantro (optional for garnish)
🍚 For the Rice
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1 cup long grain white rice
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2 tablespoons oil or butter
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2 cups water or chicken broth
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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(Optional: sauté some onion and garlic before adding rice)
🫘 For the Fresh Beans
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2 cups fresh or soaked dry beans (pinto or black beans)
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1/2 onion, halved
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2 cloves garlic
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1 bay leaf
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Salt, to taste (add at the end)
🥘 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Make the Beans (if using dry/fresh)
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Rinse beans and simmer in a pot with onion, garlic, bay leaf, and water to cover by 2 inches.
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Simmer 1.5–2 hours (or until soft), adding water as needed.
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Add salt in the last 20 minutes.
✅ Shortcut: Use canned beans, drained and simmered with sautéed onions and garlic for 15 mins.
2. Cook the Rice
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In a saucepan, heat oil. Add rice and toast lightly (optional).
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Add water/broth and salt. Bring to boil, cover, reduce to low.
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Simmer 18–20 minutes. Let rest 5 mins before fluffing.
3. Make the Carne Guisada
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In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high.
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Brown the beef in batches for good flavor. Set aside.
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In the same pot, sauté onion and bell pepper until soft.
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Add garlic and tomato. Cook until tomatoes start to break down.
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Stir in tomato paste (if using), spices, and return beef to the pot.
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Add broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
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Cover and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
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To thicken: Mix 1 tbsp flour or cornstarch with water and stir into the stew. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes more.
🍽️ Serve
Plate a scoop of rice, ladle Carne Guisada on top or beside, and spoon over beans. Garnish with cilantro, avocado, or a squeeze of lime.