The Coziest Carne Con Papas Recipe for Family Dinner Magic

Hearty and comforting, this classic carne con papas recipe brings the rich flavors of Latin American cuisine straight to your kitchen.

Tender beef slowly simmers with robust potatoes, creating a meal that warms both body and soul.

Generations have cherished this traditional dish, passing down techniques that make each bite memorable.

Aromatic spices dance through the stew, infusing every morsel with deep, satisfying notes.

Home cooks appreciate how simple ingredients can create such a deeply satisfying meal.

The combination of succulent meat and soft potatoes creates a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

You’ll want to gather around the table and savor every delicious spoonful of this timeless comfort food.

Mexican Beef Stew What Makes It Special

• Boost Flavor Explosion: Packed with robust Mexican spices like cumin, oregano, and garlic powder, this stew delivers an incredible taste adventure that will make your taste buds dance.
• Master One-Pot Wonder: Super simple cooking technique that minimizes kitchen cleanup while creating a hearty, satisfying meal with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
• Comfort Food Champion: Perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings, this beef stew provides warm, filling nutrition that brings everyone together around the table with its rich, authentic flavors.
• Quick Cooking Magic: Transforms basic ingredients into a restaurant-quality dish in under an hour, making it ideal for busy home cooks who want maximum taste with minimal preparation time.

Essential Ingredients for Mexican Beef Stew

• Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and tender texture for this traditional Mexican stew.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Oregano, Cumin: A robust spice mixture that enhances the beef's natural taste and adds authentic Mexican flavor complexity.

• Tomatoes, Onion, Pepper, Garlic: Fresh ingredients that create a smooth, vibrant base sauce with deep, layered flavors.
• Broth: Provides liquid depth and helps tenderize the meat during cooking.

• Bay Leaf: Adds a subtle herbal note to the stew's overall flavor profile.
• Cilantro: A fresh herb that brings brightness and traditional Mexican cuisine character to the final dish.
• Potatoes: Hearty root vegetable that adds substance and helps thicken the stew.
• Cooking Oil: Helps brown the meat and prevent sticking during initial cooking stage.

Step-by-Step Mexican Beef Stew Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Beef

Grab your beef and sprinkle on a magical blend of seasonings.

Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, and cumin to create a flavor explosion that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown

Heat up some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Toss in the seasoned beef and let it sizzle, creating a beautiful golden-brown crust.

This process takes about 10 minutes and will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Step 3: Create the Flavor-Packed Sauce

• Ripe tomatoes
• Chopped onion
• Bell pepper
• Garlic cloves
• Salt
• Broth

Blend everything until it’s silky smooth and looks like a vibrant red sauce.

Step 4: Simmer and Develop Depth

Strain the sauce into a pot to remove any chunky bits.

Drop in a bay leaf for extra flavor complexity.

Cover and let it simmer gently, allowing the flavors to mingle and develop.

Step 5: Add Hearty Potatoes

Introduce chunky potato pieces to the simmering stew.

Let them cook and absorb all the delicious flavors for about 25 minutes until they’re tender and delectable.

Step 6: Finish with Fresh Herbs

Sprinkle in fresh cilantro to brighten up the entire dish.

Let the stew rest for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to settle and intensify.

This final touch transforms your Mexican beef stew into a comforting, mouth-watering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Tips for Hearty Mexican Beef Stew

• Choose chuck roast or stew meat with good marbling for tender, flavorful results.
• Toast whole spices before grinding to intensify their aromatic profile and enhance overall depth of flavor.
• Pat beef completely dry before browning to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in juices.
• Cover and simmer gently to break down tough meat fibers, creating melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Add fresh cilantro just before serving to preserve its bright, herbal notes and vibrant green color.

Mexican Beef Stew Flavor Variations

• Chicken Swap: Replace beef with chicken thighs for a lighter protein option, keeping all other spices and cooking techniques the same.
• Vegetarian Version: Substitute beef with hearty portobello mushrooms or firm tofu cubes, maintaining the robust Mexican spice blend and cooking method.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets or diced zucchini to reduce carbohydrate content while preserving the stew's rich flavor profile.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after browning meat, cook on low for 6-8 hours for tender, deeply flavored results.

Serving Mexican Beef Stew the Best Way

• Hearty Dinner Companion: Serve over fluffy white rice to soak up the rich, flavorful sauce and add extra filling substance.
• Garnish Galore: Top with fresh chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and a squeeze of lime for bright, zesty flavors that enhance the stew's deep Mexican profile.
• Side Kick Perfection: Pair with warm corn tortillas or crusty bread to mop up every delicious drop of the savory beef stew sauce.
• Weekend Fiesta Feast: Present in a large rustic bowl with additional fresh herbs and a small side of pickled jalapeños for those who enjoy an extra spicy kick.

Storing Leftover Mexican Beef Stew

• Store leftover Mexican beef stew in a sealed container for up to 4 days, keeping flavors fresh and ingredients intact.
• Transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, where it will maintain quality for 3-4 months.
• Warm slowly in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and preserve the stew's rich texture and taste.
• Add a splash of broth or water if the stew seems dry, ensuring it stays moist and delicious when serving.

FAQs

• What type of meat works best for this Mexican beef stew?

Chuck roast or beef stew meat are ideal because they’re tough cuts that become tender and flavorful when slow-cooked, breaking down during the simmering process.

• Can I make this stew spicier?

Yes, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce while blending to increase heat. You can also serve with hot sauce on the side for extra kick.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe appears naturally gluten-free, but always check your broth and seasonings to confirm no hidden gluten ingredients are present.

• How can I make this stew more authentic?

Use Mexican oregano instead of regular oregano and consider adding a small amount of chipotle pepper for a deeper, smokier flavor that’s traditional in Mexican cuisine.

Carne Con Papas Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican carne con papas stew brings hearty comfort straight from traditional kitchens, blending tender beef and potatoes in a rich, spicy sauce. Warm spices and slow-simmered meat invite you to savor authentic flavors that speak directly to the soul of home cooking.

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Ingredients

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Main Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) beef chuck roast, 1-inch cubes

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 4 Roma tomatoes, quartered
• 1/2 white onion
• 1 serrano pepper, stemmed
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 large russet potatoes, cubed
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Spices and Liquids:

• 3 teaspoons (15 grams) kosher salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 bay leaf

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Instructions

1. Generously coat beef chunks with a robust blend of salt, freshly ground black pepper, aromatic garlic powder, crumbled oregano, and earthy cumin.
2. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high temperature, searing meat until deep golden-brown and caramelized, approximately 10 minutes.
3. Transform tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, additional salt, and savory broth into a silky, uniform liquid using a blender.
4. Carefully strain the vibrant sauce into a cooking pot, introducing a fragrant bay leaf, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 10 minutes.
5. Introduce diced potatoes to the simmering stew, continuing to cook for 25 minutes until vegetables become tender and meat reaches desired consistency.
6. Remove from heat, gently fold in fresh chopped cilantro, allowing the stew to rest and meld flavors for a final 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Enhance spice levels by adjusting cumin and oregano according to personal heat preference.
• Choose fatty cuts like chuck roast for richer, more tender meat that falls apart during slow cooking.
• Replace potatoes with cauliflower for a low-carb version that maintains similar texture and absorbs delicious stew flavors.
• Freeze leftover stew in portioned containers for quick weeknight meals, ensuring maximum flavor retention when reheated gently.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Latin American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 370
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 550mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 100mg