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+ servings
image of Fresh beef chuck cut into chunks bell peppers sweet onion garlic powder cumin oregano tomato paste vinegar beef broth arranged on a white marble counter in clear glass bowls with rustic wooden utensils and soft daylight
katya bou

The Ultimate Tender Carne Guisada

Discover the ultimate tender Carne Guisada made effortlessly in your crockpot, featuring rich Mexican flavors and fall-apart beef that's perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Beef
  • 2.5 lbs beef chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour divided
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 oz diced green chiles can, mild or hot
  • 1 large bell pepper diced (green or red)
  • 2 tbsp chili powder Tex-Mex blend
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano Mexican if possible
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes can, undrained
  • 2 cups beef broth
For Garnish
  • 0.25 cup fresh cilantro chopped

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Large skillet,
  • cutting board,
  • tongs

Method
 

Prep the Beef
  1. Pat the beef chuck cubes dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, toss the beef with 1 tablespoon of flour, salt, and pepper.
Searing the Meat
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until deep brown and caramelized, working in batches if necessary. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Build Aromatics
  1. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and bell pepper, scraping up browned bits. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened.
Bloom Spices
  1. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and paprika. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly until fragrant.
Thicken Base
  1. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon flour over the mixture and cook for another minute.
Slow Cook
  1. Transfer everything from the skillet to the slow cooker, including the seared beef. Add diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, and green chiles. Stir well to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
Adjust and Serve
  1. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If gravy is too thin, remove beef and reduce briefly in a pot, or thicken with a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water, stirred in and cooked 2-3 minutes). Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 35gFat: 25g

Notes

For a richer texture, substitute flour with masa harina. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat gently on stovetop.
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