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Hearty carne guisada with ground beef and potatoes simmered in a rich tomato chile gravy. Served with warm flour tortillas, this comforting Mexican-style stew is perfect for family meals.
1½ pounds lean ground beef
2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
1 fresh tomato, chopped
1 cup smoked Hatch green chiles (roasted and chopped)
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
Kosher salt, to taste
Coarse black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½–1 cup water or beef broth (as needed)
For Serving
Warm flour tortillas
Optional garnish: chopped cilantro, lime wedges, queso fresco, or avocado slices
1. Sauté the Onion
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and lightly golden, about 4–5 minutes.
2. Brown the Ground Beef
Add the ground beef to the pan with the onions.
Season with cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat with a spoon until fully browned.
If needed, drain excess grease while leaving a little for flavor.
3. Fry the Potatoes
In a separate skillet, heat a little oil and fry the diced potatoes until lightly golden and just tender, about 10–12 minutes.
Set aside.
4. Create the Gravy Base
Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of flour over the browned beef mixture.
Stir continuously and cook for 1–2 minutes to remove the raw flour taste and form a light roux.
5. Combine the Ingredients
Add the fried potatoes, smoked Hatch green chiles, canned diced tomatoes, and chopped fresh tomato.
Pour in a little water or broth at a time, stirring until the mixture reaches a thick stew-like consistency.
6. Simmer the Guisada
Reduce heat to low and let the stew simmer gently for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or cumin if needed.
7. Rest and Serve
Remove the pot from heat and let the guisada rest for about 10 minutes.
This allows the sauce to thicken and the flavors to fully develop.
Serve hot with warm flour tortillas.
Russet potatoes work best because they absorb flavor while keeping their structure.
If Hatch chiles are unavailable, roasted poblano or Anaheim peppers are good substitutes.
This dish can also be made with chunks of stew beef instead of ground beef for a more traditional texture.
The flavor becomes even richer the next day after refrigeration.