Emilie Meyer
Slow-cooked carne guisada is a hearty, spicy Mexican-style beef stew that is perfect for tacos, burritos, or eating straight from the pot. The dish is traditionally cooked for 6 to 8 hours, but some recipes call for up to 10 hours of cooking time. The key to achieving the dish's signature thick gravy is to remove the lid from the crockpot about 30 minutes before serving and continue cooking on low heat to reduce the excess liquid. This technique also helps to intensify the flavor of the gravy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time | 6-8 hours |
| Cooking temperature | Low |
| Cooking method | Slow cooker |
| Ingredients | Beef, potatoes, onion, peppers, garlic, flour, chili powder, cumin, salt, beef broth, water |
| Leftovers | Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 6 months |
| Gravy thickening methods | Reduction, cornstarch slurry |
| Reduction time | 30 minutes before serving |
| Reduction method | Remove lid and continue cooking on low, stirring occasionally |
| Cornstarch slurry recipe | 1 Tbsp cornstarch with ⅓ cup water |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time: 6-8 hours on low
Slow cooking carne guisada in a crock pot for 6-8 hours on low is a great way to make a hearty, tasty, and tender Mexican-style beef stew. This cooking method is ideal for less expensive cuts of meat, making them more tender and tasty than other forms of cookery.
To prepare the meat for the crock pot, trim a roast and cut it into 0.5-inch cubes. Coat the beef in flour and heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the roast on all sides, stirring frequently.
For the crock pot, combine the browned beef with potatoes, onion, peppers, and garlic in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix flour, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Toss the beef mixture with the flour mixture until evenly coated. Place the mixture into the crock pot and pour in enough beef broth to barely cover the meat. If you don't have enough broth, you can fill the rest of the way with water.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is tender. About 30 minutes before serving, remove the lid from the crock pot to allow the gravy to thicken. Continue to cook on low, stirring occasionally.
This recipe yields a delicious and tender carne guisada that can be served with fresh flour tortillas, rice, charro beans, lettuce, avocado slices, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo.
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Thickening the gravy: reduce or use cornstarch
Carne guisada is famous for its thick gravy. To achieve this signature consistency in a crock pot, you can either reduce the liquid content or use cornstarch.
Reduction
If you prefer a more natural route, you can simply let the crock pot simmer without the lid on for about 30 minutes before serving. This will allow some of the liquid to evaporate, reducing the overall liquid content and resulting in a thicker gravy. Stir occasionally to prevent too much liquid from evaporating and to ensure a nice, even consistency. This method also has the added benefit of concentrating the flavours in the gravy, making it richer and more delicious.
Cornstarch Slurry
If you're short on time or want more control over the thickness of your gravy, a cornstarch slurry is a great option. Mix one tablespoon of cornstarch with 1/3 cup of water, creating a slurry that can be added directly to your crock pot. Cornstarch acts as an effective thickening agent, working quickly to add body to your gravy. Simply stir the slurry into your carne guisada and turn your slow cooker to high. Cook for about 15 minutes or until your gravy reaches your desired consistency.
Regardless of the method you choose, it's important to keep a close eye on your stew to ensure it doesn't over-reduce or become too thick. Both methods will result in a delicious, hearty carne guisada with a rich, thick gravy that's perfect for enjoying with tortillas, rice, or any other Tex-Mex favourites.
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Meat: beef chuck roast
To make carne guisada with beef chuck roast in a crock pot, you'll first want to trim and cut the roast into 0.5-inch cubes. The amount of meat you use is up to you, but one source recommends using a 4-pound chuck roast.
Before placing the meat in the crock pot, you can choose to brown the meat in a skillet. To do this, coat the beef cubes in flour and heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, brown the meat on all sides, stirring frequently.
If you choose to skip this step, you can simply place the beef cubes directly into the crock pot. If you want to thicken the gravy, you can whisk corn starch with a bit of beef stock before adding it to the pot. You can also add other ingredients to the crock pot at this stage, such as crushed tomatoes, beef bouillon powder, onion, garlic, jalapenos, and other seasonings.
Once all the ingredients are in the crock pot, cover and cook on a LOW setting for 6-8 hours or a HIGH setting for 4-5 hours. If you're using a crock pot without a LOW or HIGH setting, simply cook the carne guisada for 5-6 hours.
To check if the meat is done, pierce it with a fork—it should be perfectly tender. If the meat is tender but the gravy is too thin, you can remove the lid of the crock pot 30 minutes before serving to allow the gravy to naturally thicken.
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Sides: rice, tortillas, beans
When making carne guisada in a crock pot, you can serve it with rice, tortillas, and beans. Here's how to prepare these sides:
Rice
Rice is a great side dish to serve with your carne guisada. To make rice in a crock pot, start by rubbing your slow cooker with butter, margarine, or non-stick spray. Next, add the rice, water, and salt, maintaining a ratio of 1 part rice to 2 parts water. Cover and cook on high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. You can also add vegetables and seasonings to customize the flavor of your rice.
Tortillas
While there is no specific mention of making tortillas in a crock pot, you can make chicken tortilla soup. This soup is made with chicken, broth, and corn tortillas, and it's topped with crispy, crunchy homemade tortilla strips. You can also add other ingredients like sweet corn, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, cheese, and sour cream.
Beans
When cooking beans in a crock pot, it's important to note that dried beans should not be cooked on low heat. They need to reach a temperature above 212 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 10 minutes to be safe to eat. Red kidney beans, in particular, require caution due to the presence of phytohemagglutinin, which is toxic. To cook dried beans, it's recommended to use the high setting on your crock pot. You can also soak the beans overnight before cooking them in a crock pot with chicken broth and seasonings.
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Storage: 3-4 days in the fridge
When storing your delicious carne guisada in the fridge, it is important to note that it will last for 3-4 days. This is a great option if you want to prepare a large batch of this hearty dish and enjoy it over a few days.
Leftovers can be stored in airtight containers to maintain freshness and quality. It is important to use a container that is suitable for storing food and has a tight-fitting lid to prevent any air from entering and spoiling the food.
When reheating your carne guisada, it is recommended to use a microwave or stovetop. If using a microwave, transfer the desired portion to a microwave-safe dish and cover it with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat it in short intervals, stirring in between, until it reaches your desired temperature.
For stovetop reheating, place the carne guisada in a saucepan and add a small amount of liquid such as water or broth to prevent it from drying out. Heat it over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is thoroughly warmed.
Remember, it is important to practice food safety and ensure that your leftovers are stored and reheated properly to minimize the risk of foodborne illnesses. Enjoy your delicious carne guisada!
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 6 to 8 hours to cook carne guisada in a crock pot on low heat.
About 30 minutes before serving, remove the lid from the crock pot and let it cook uncovered on low heat. Stir occasionally until the gravy thickens.
Lean cuts of beef such as eye round roast, top round roast, bottom round roast, and round tip roast are good choices for carne guisada.
Carne guisada can be served with fresh flour tortillas, rice, charro beans, lettuce, avocado slices, shredded cheese, and pico de gallo.
