Carne Guisada (Tex Mex Beef Stew with Warm Corn Tortillas)
Beef chuck braised until tender with cumin, peppers and potatoes in a gravy-like tomato sauce, served with warm tortillas.
Made with Corn tortillas from masa harina and Basic tomato sauce. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time2 hr 15
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £3.10 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Pat the beef dry and season with the salt. Heat the oil in a heavy casserole over a high heat and brown the beef in 2 batches for 5 minutes each. Lift out.
10 min - 2
Add the onion and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the garlic, cumin, chilli powder and oregano and cook for 1 minute.
6 min - 3
Return the beef and add your ready made basic tomato sauce (see the base recipe) and the water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook on a low heat for 1 hour 15 minutes.
75 min - 4
Stir in the potatoes, cover and cook for 25 minutes more, until the beef and potatoes are tender and the sauce is thick.
25 min - 5
Warm your ready made corn tortillas (see the base recipe) one at a time in a dry frying pan for 30 seconds on each side, then wrap in a clean tea towel.
- 6
Scatter the stew with coriander and serve with the warm tortillas for scooping and rolling.
Tips
- Chuck or shin gives the best result. Both have the connective tissue that melts in a long cook.
- If you want a thicker gravy, mash a few potato pieces into the sauce at the end.
- Serve with rice and refried beans for a full Tex Mex plate.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 90 minutes. Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat until steaming hot all the way through. Freeze the stew for up to 3 months.
Questions
What does carne guisada mean?
It means stewed meat in Spanish. It is a staple of Texas and northern Mexico, often eaten in tacos for breakfast.
Can I use flour tortillas?
Yes. Flour tortillas are the more common choice in Texas, but they are not gluten free. Corn tortillas keep the dish gluten free.
Can I add heat?
Yes. Add a chopped jalapeno with the onion or a spoonful of chipotle paste with the tomato sauce.
More made with corn tortillas from masa harina
Enchiladas Rojas de Frijol con Arroz Rojo (Red Bean Enchiladas with Red Rice)
GFEFNFPescado a la Talla (Acapulco Style Grilled Fish with Adobo)
DFEFNFPastel Azteca (Mexican Tortilla Layer Bake)
GFEFNFTacos de Cordero al Adobo de Guajillo (Guajillo Lamb Tacos)
DFEFNFDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.