A traditional Mexican comfort meal combining tender beef stew with fresh, pillowy tortillas. This recipe breaks down both components for the perfect homemade feast.

For the Carne Guisada

Essential Ingredients:

• 2½ pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large white onion, finely diced
• 6 garlic cloves, minced
• 2-3 serrano peppers, diced (adjust for heat)
• 3 medium tomatoes, diced
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 bay leaves
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Spice Blend:

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon ground coriander

Stew Method:

1. Initial Prep:

• Season beef generously with salt and pepper
• Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high
• Work in batches to brown meat thoroughly
• Remove meat and set aside

1. Building Flavors:

• Sauté onions until golden
• Add garlic and peppers
• Stir in flour, cook briefly
• Add spice blend, toast 30 seconds

1. Slow Cooking:

• Return meat to pot
• Add broth and tomatoes
• Bring to simmer
• Cover and cook 2.5-3 hours until tender

Fresh Flour Tortillas

Tortilla Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil or lard
• 1 cup warm water

Tortilla Process:

1. Mix dry ingredients thoroughly
2. Add fat, work with fingers until crumbly
3. Add warm water gradually, mix to form dough
4. Knead 4-5 minutes until smooth
5. Rest dough 30 minutes, covered
6. Divide into 12 equal balls
7. Roll each ball thin
8. Cook on hot griddle 1-2 minutes per side

Pro Tips

For the Stew:

• Cut meat consistently for even cooking
• Don’t crowd pan when browning
• Maintain gentle simmer
• Adjust liquid as needed
• Let rest 10 minutes before serving

For Tortillas:

• Use room temperature ingredients
• Rest dough properly
• Roll from center outward
• Keep tortillas warm in cloth

Serving Suggestions

Garnish with:

• Fresh cilantro
• Diced onion
• Lime wedges
• Sliced avocado
• Extra serrano peppers

Serve alongside:

• Mexican rice
• Refried beans
• Fresh salsa
• Pickled jalapeños

Storage Guidelines

Stew:

• Refrigerate up to 4 days
• Freeze up to 3 months
• Reheat gently on stovetop

Tortillas:

• Store room temperature 2-3 days
• Freeze up to 2 months
• Reheat on griddle

The key to perfect carne guisada is patience – let the meat simmer until fork-tender. For the tortillas, proper resting time and careful rolling are essential. This combination creates a truly authentic Mexican meal that’s perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

Remember to taste and adjust seasonings as needed throughout the cooking process. The end result should be a rich, flavorful stew with perfectly tender meat, complemented by soft, fresh tortillas.