Carne Guisada (Puerto Rican Beef Stew) with Rice

Ingredients

• For the Carne Guisada:
• 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into bite-sized cubes 🥩
• 2 tbsp olive oil 🫒
• 0.5 cup sofrito (homemade or store-bought) 🌿
• 1 small onion, diced 🧅
• 1 bell pepper, diced (red or green) 🌶️
• 4 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 1 cup tomato sauce 🍅
• 2 tbsp tomato paste 🍅
• 1 ½ cups beef broth or water 🥣
• 1 tsp cumin 🌿
• 1 tsp dried oregano 🍃
• 1 tsp smoked paprika 🌶️
• 1 tsp salt 🧂
• 0.5 tsp black pepper ⚫
• 1 bay leaf 🍃
• 2 tbsp adobo seasoning 🥄
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce (optional) 🍶
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed 🥔
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced 🥕
• 0.5 cup green olives with pimentos (optional) 🫒
• Fresh cilantro for garnish 🌿
• For the Rice:
• 2 cups long-grain white rice 🍚
• 2 ½ cups water 💧
• 1 tbsp butter or oil 🧈
• 1 tsp salt 🧂

Instructions

1. 11️⃣ Sear the Beef 🥩🔥
2. 21️⃣ Heat olive oil 🫒 in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. 32️⃣ Add beef cubes 🥩 and sear until browned on all sides (about 5 minutes). Remove and set aside.
4. 42️⃣ Build the Flavor 🌿🔥
5. 53️⃣ In the same pot, sauté sofrito, onions 🧅, bell peppers 🌶️, and garlic 🧄 for 3-5 minutes until fragrant.
6. 64️⃣ Stir in tomato sauce 🍅, tomato paste 🍅, cumin 🌿, oregano 🍃, smoked paprika 🌶️, salt 🧂, and black pepper ⚫. Let the flavors meld together.
7. 73️⃣ Simmer to Perfection 🍲✨
8. 85️⃣ Return the beef 🥩 to the pot and add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce (if using), and bay leaf 🍃.
9. 96️⃣ Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
10. 107️⃣ Add potatoes 🥔, carrots 🥕, and olives 🫒. Simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes, until the beef is tender and the sauce thickens.
11. 114️⃣ Cook the Rice 🍚🔥
12. 128️⃣ While the stew simmers, rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
13. 139️⃣ In a separate pot, bring water 💧, salt 🧂, and butter/oil 🧈 to a boil.
14. 14Add rice 🍚, stir once, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for 18-20 minutes until fluffy.
15. 155️⃣ Serve & Enjoy! 🍽️
16. 161️⃣1️⃣ Plate the rice 🍚 and ladle a generous portion of Carne Guisada on top.
17. 171️⃣2️⃣ Garnish with fresh cilantro 🌿 and serve with tostones 🍌 or avocado slices 🥑.