Carne Guisada (Puerto Rican Beef Stew)

I'm a fan of latin flavors. I lived in Mexico for a semester and I'm convinced that was what has led to me love of Mexican food. I mean, I Mexico, they just call it food. And their "Mexican" food is very different from what we eat here in the US. Still I'm a fan. 

I'm also a fan of stews and soups during the fall/winter months. Something about a stormy, rainy day that just screams stew to me. 

I've made five different recipes for Carne Guisada. Some I loved, some just ok and some were yuck. 

This one was advertised as a "Puerto Rican" version. None of the others used Sazon. I've used Sazon in other recipes and always forget how good (and salty) it is. I should also mention I did not use sofrito. It has nasty bell peppers in it, so I suspect if I ever ate guisada in Puerto Rico, I might not like it. 

I really liked this stew. I think it may be one of the favorite guisadas I've made. 

I cooked my stew for 2.5 hours. I used stew meat and that is not usually tender after cooking only 30 minutes. Plus I think the flavors meld better. I put the carrots in after 1.5 hours. And then the potatoes when 30 minutes were left. 

Carne Guisada (Puerto Rican Beef Stew)

Recipe from Latina Mom Meals

Serves 6

• 2-3 pounds of beef chunks 2 inch chunks
• 3-4 tablespoons of Badia Sazon Complete seasoning*
• 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
• 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
• ½ onion chopped
• ⅓ cup of white wine
• ⅓ cup of homemade sofrito optional
• 8 oz of tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon of soy sauce
• 1 packet of beef bullion seasoning
• 2 cups of water
• 1 ½ cups of baby or chopped carrots
• 3 large potatoes peeled and chopped
• ¼ cup of cilantro chopped

Season beef (2-3 lbs) with Badia seasoning (3-4 tbsp) (or see note) and minced garlic (2 tbsp). Set to the side.

Warm olive oil (2-3 tbsp) over medium high heat, add in beef chunks in batches, and brown sides.

Add in onions (1 half; chopped) and white wine (1/2 c), allow to cook for 1-2 minutes.

Next, add in sofrito (1/2 c), beef bullion (1 packet) , and tomato sauce (8oz), cook an additional 1-2 minutes before adding in water (2c), and carrots (1 1/2 c).

Cook ten minutes before adding in potatoes (3 large, chopped) and cilantro (1/4 c). 

Taste for seasoning and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes on medium, cover with a lid with a slight opening.