Carne Guisada con Pimientos
A slow-simmered beef stew bursting with tender chunks of beef, sweet bell peppers, and a rich tomato-cumin sauce that deepens in flavor with every minute of cooking. This puerto rican-inspired beef ready in about 145 minutes pairs (680g), cubed beef chuck, beef broth, medium, sliced bell peppers 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
- 1.5 lbs (680g), cubed beef chuck
- 2 cups beef broth
- 3 medium, sliced bell peppers
- 2 large, chopped onions
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1.5 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 1.5 lbs beef chuck (680g) cubes with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then sear beef in batches for 4 minutes per side until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 2 chopped onions and 4 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant, then stir in 3 sliced bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes until slightly softened. Add 1/2 cup tomato sauce, 1.5 tsp cumin, and 2 bay leaves, cooking for 2 minutes more.
- Step 3: Return beef to the pot, add 2 cups beef broth, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook on low heat for 120 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is fork-tender and sauce has thickened to coat the back of a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Carne Guisada con Pimientos take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (25 min prep + 120 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 Carne Guisada con Pimientos?
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 (680g), cubed beef chuck from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Carne Guisada con Pimientos?
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 Carne Guisada con Pimientos 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 Carne Guisada con Pimientos?
Puerto Rican 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made exactly as written. Wouldn't change a thing.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
