Braised Beef Hilachas with Tomato and Guajillo Chile
Shredded beef slow-cooked in a rich, spiced tomato and guajillo chile sauce, a classic Guatemalan comfort stew perfect for serving with rice. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 170 minutes pairs pounds beef chuck roast, chiles dried guajillo chiles, medium tomatoes for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck roast
- 3 chiles dried guajillo chiles
- 4 medium tomatoes
- 1 medium, quartered white onion
- 4 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups water
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Remove stems and seeds from 3 dried guajillo chiles, then soak them in 1 cup hot water for 20 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: While chiles soak, bring a pot of water to boil and simmer 4 medium tomatoes with 1 quartered white onion and 4 garlic cloves for 10 minutes until softened.
- Step 3: Drain the chiles and blend with the cooked tomatoes, onion, and garlic until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup soaking water to create a thick sauce.
- Step 4: Cut 2 pounds beef chuck roast into large chunks and season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 5: Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the beef chunks for 4 minutes per side until well seared.
- Step 6: Pour the blended chile-tomato sauce over the beef and add 3 cups water, bringing to a simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours until beef is tender and shreds easily.
- Step 7: Remove beef, shred it finely with two forks and return to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes to thicken the sauce and blend flavors.
- Step 8: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving alongside steamed rice.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Braised Beef Hilachas with Tomato and Guajillo Chile take to make?
Total time is about 170 minutes (30 min prep + 140 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Braised Beef Hilachas with Tomato and Guajillo Chile?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pounds beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Beef Hilachas with Tomato and Guajillo Chile?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Braised Beef Hilachas with Tomato and Guajillo Chile for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Braised Beef Hilachas with Tomato and Guajillo Chile?
Latin American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
