Description
Rich, comforting, and bursting with Latin-Caribbean flavor, this Moist Puerto Rican Beef Stew, or “Carne Guisada,” is everything a slow-simmered dish should be. Each bite is infused with warm spices, tender chunks of beef, root vegetables, and a deeply savory broth that thickens as it cooks. The result is soul-warming and robust enough to stand on its own or soak into a fluffy bed of white rice. It’s perfect for quick dinner ideas, cozy weekend meals, and healthy comfort food nights with family.
Ingredients
2 pounds beef chuck roast or stew meat
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup sofrito
1 cup tomato sauce
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 bay leaves
4 cups beef broth
3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Instructions
1. Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef in batches to create a deep crust. Set aside.
2. In the same pot, reduce heat and add sofrito. Cook for about 3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in tomato sauce, cumin, oregano, and bay leaves.
3. Return the browned beef to the pot. Add beef broth and deglaze the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 1.5 to 2 hours.
4. Add diced potatoes and carrots. Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and the stew thickens.
5. Discard bay leaves, taste, and adjust seasoning. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving, if using.
Notes
For extra depth, marinate the beef in sofrito overnight before cooking.
Substitute sweet potatoes for a subtle sweetness and color twist.
Freeze in individual portions for convenient weekday meals.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: beef stew, Puerto Rican dinner, carne guisada, one-pot meal, comforting dinner