Slow-Cooked Beef Guisada with Spicy Serrano
Indulge in this rich and flavorful Slow-Cooked Beef Guisada, a traditional comfort dish perfect for family dinners or gatherings. This recipe features tender, slow-cooked beef stew meat that melds beautifully with a robust blend of spices, including chili powder and cumin, and is enhanced with the zesty kick of serrano chili peppers. Cooked in a savory broth with hints of garlic and tomato, this guisada offers a delightful combination of spices and textures. Serve over fluffy Mexican rice or alongside warm homemade tortillas for a true fiesta on your plate. Get ready to impress your loved ones with this hearty, home-cooked masterpiece!
N/A
Servings
117
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooking oil
2 tablespoons (for browning beef)
Beef stew meat
1 lb (cubed)
Tomato paste
3 ounces (for flavor base)
Homemade beef broth
10 fluid ounces (for simmering)
Water
4 fluid ounces (to adjust consistency)
Garlic cloves
3 (crushed)
Chili powder
1 teaspoon (for heat and flavor)
Ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (for depth of flavor)
Ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Serrano chili peppers
2 (seeded or not and chopped)
Cornstarch
2 teaspoons (for thickening the stew)
Instructions
1
In a large saucepan, heat the cooking oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cubed beef stew meat and brown it evenly on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.
2
Carefully pour off any excess fat from the saucepan, then stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, and water. Mix well to combine.
3
Season the mixture with crushed garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, ground black pepper, salt, and chopped serrano peppers. Stir thoroughly to incorporate the spices.
4
Reduce the heat to low and allow the stew to simmer. For best results, let it cook for 8 to 12 hours, either on the stovetop or in a crockpot (on low setting). Remember, the longer it cooks, the more tender the beef will become.
5
Once the meat is fork-tender, mix the cornstarch with a small amount of water in a bowl until dissolved. Stir this mixture into the simmering stew and cook for an additional 5 minutes until thickened.
6
Serve the Beef Guisada hot, accompanied by fluffy Mexican rice and/or warm homemade tortillas for dipping. Enjoy your meal!
Nutrition Information
5
Fat
8
Carbs
9
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow-Cooked Beef Guisada?
It is a traditional Mexican-style comfort dish consisting of tender beef stew meat simmered in a savory broth with tomato, garlic, and spices like cumin and chili powder.
What cut of meat is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 lb of beef stew meat, which should be cubed for even cooking and browning.
How long should I cook the beef for maximum tenderness?
For the most tender results, the beef should be simmered on a low setting for 8 to 12 hours.
Can I make this Beef Guisada in a crockpot?
Yes, you can cook this dish in a crockpot on the low setting for 8 to 12 hours after browning the meat on the stovetop.
How do I thicken the guisada sauce?
Mix 2 teaspoons of cornstarch with a small amount of water until dissolved, then stir it into the simmering stew and cook for 5 additional minutes.
How many calories are in one serving of this recipe?
This recipe contains approximately 117 calories per serving.
Is this Beef Guisada recipe spicy?
The recipe includes two chopped serrano chili peppers and chili powder, giving it a zesty and spicy kick.
What should I serve with Beef Guisada?
It is traditionally served over fluffy Mexican rice or with warm homemade tortillas for dipping.
How much tomato paste is needed?
The recipe requires 3 ounces of tomato paste to create a rich flavor base.
Do I need to brown the beef first?
Yes, you should brown the cubed beef in oil over medium-high heat for about 5-7 minutes to develop flavor.
What spices are used in this dish?
The seasoning blend includes chili powder, ground cumin, ground black pepper, and salt.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 crushed garlic cloves.
What kind of broth is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 10 fluid ounces of homemade beef broth for the best flavor.
Can I adjust the heat level of the peppers?
Yes, you can seed the serrano peppers before chopping to reduce the heat or leave the seeds in for more spice.
What is the total fat content?
Each serving contains about 5 grams of fat.
How much protein is in this dish?
There are 9 grams of protein per serving.
What are the total carbohydrates?
The dish contains 8 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Can I use a different type of oil for browning?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of general cooking oil, which can be any neutral high-heat oil.
How much water is added to the broth?
In addition to the broth, 4 fluid ounces of water are added to adjust the consistency.
Is there any cumin in the recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin is used to add depth of flavor.
How much chili powder should I add?
Add 1 teaspoon of chili powder for heat and flavor.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to heat cooking oil in a large saucepan and brown the cubed beef for 5-7 minutes.
What do I do after browning the meat?
Pour off excess fat and then stir in the tomato paste, beef broth, and water.
When do I add the garlic and peppers?
The crushed garlic and chopped serrano peppers are added along with the dry spices after the liquids are mixed in.
How do I know when the beef is done?
The beef is ready when it is fork-tender after the long simmering process.
What is the purpose of the water in the cornstarch step?
The water is used to dissolve the cornstarch so it can be easily incorporated without clumping.
Can I use store-bought broth?
While the recipe suggests homemade beef broth, you can substitute it with a high-quality store-bought version.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is tagged as comfort food and described as a hearty meal for families.
How much salt is required?
The salt amount is 'to taste,' allowing you to season the stew according to your preference.
Is this a traditional Mexican recipe?
Yes, it is categorized under Mexican cuisine and described as a traditional guisada.