Mexican Beef Stew

Featured in Satisfying Hearty Mains.

This traditional Mexican beef stew combines tender strips of steak and crispy bacon in a fresh tomatillo-cilantro sauce with pinto beans. Topped with crisp vegetables and lime for a complete meal.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:12:48 GMT
A bowl of flavorful beef stew with beans, tomatoes, and garnished with cilantro and lime wedges. Pin it
A bowl of flavorful beef stew with beans, tomatoes, and garnished with cilantro and lime wedges. | recipesbyclare.com

My Carne en su Jugo recipe brings back memories of family gatherings in Jalisco. The way the tender beef simmers in that bright tomatillo sauce creating its own flavorful broth is pure magic. When those crispy bacon bits and fresh cilantro hit the top it becomes something truly special.

Why You'll Love It

This stew has become my go-to comfort food. Everything cooks in one pot making cleanup a breeze and the combination of tangy tomatillos with rich beef and smoky bacon creates layers of flavor that just keep getting better.

What You'll Need

  • Bacon: 6 slices, cooked until crispy, for flavor and garnish.
  • Beef: 2 pounds top sirloin or top round, cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Tomatillos: 6 medium, for a tangy and vibrant sauce base.
  • Serrano Peppers: 2, for spice; substitute jalapeños for a milder flavor.
  • Pinto Beans: 2 cups cooked or 1 can, drained and rinsed, for added texture and protein.
  • Cilantro: 1/2 cup chopped, divided, for the sauce and garnish.
  • Garlic: 3 cloves, for aromatic depth.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, and cumin, to enhance the flavor of the beef and sauce.
  • Onion: 1/2 cup diced, for garnish and texture.
A bowl of savory meat stew garnished with radishes and herbs, surrounded by lime wedges and additional ingredients. Pin it
A bowl of savory meat stew garnished with radishes and herbs, surrounded by lime wedges and additional ingredients. | recipesbyclare.com

Let's Make It Together

Start with the Bacon
Get that bacon nice and crispy in your pot saving all those flavorful drippings.
Brown Your Beef
Season it well and let it get golden brown in those bacon drippings.
Create the Sauce
Blend those tomatillos peppers and aromatics until smooth.
Let It Simmer
Add everything together and let those flavors meld into something amazing.
Final Touches
Warm up the beans and top with all your fresh garnishes.

Make It Your Own

Play around with the heat level by adjusting your peppers. If you're not a fan of super spicy food jalapeños work perfectly. Sometimes I'll add diced potatoes or switch up the beans based on what I have in my pantry.

A bowl of savory meat stew garnished with fresh herbs, diced tomatoes, red onions, and lime wedges, surrounded by additional herbs and ingredients. Pin it
A bowl of savory meat stew garnished with fresh herbs, diced tomatoes, red onions, and lime wedges, surrounded by additional herbs and ingredients. | recipesbyclare.com

Serve It Right

Warm corn tortillas are essential for soaking up all that delicious broth. A squeeze of lime and some extra cilantro on top makes everything pop. Don't forget a cold Mexican beer or agua fresca on the side.

Keep It Fresh

This stew gets even better the next day when all those flavors have had time to develop. Just warm it gently on the stove adding a splash of water if needed to thin the broth.

A close-up of a bowl of beef stew garnished with cilantro, lime, and onions, accompanied by fresh ingredients on the side. Pin it
A close-up of a bowl of beef stew garnished with cilantro, lime, and onions, accompanied by fresh ingredients on the side. | recipesbyclare.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What cut of beef works best for this stew?

Strip steak, top round steak, or top sirloin steak work well. Cut the meat into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

→ Can I make this without bacon?

Yes, you can substitute 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil for the bacon and bacon fat. However, the bacon adds rich flavor to the dish.

→ How spicy is this dish?

The heat comes from serrano peppers. Remove the seeds to reduce spiciness or use fewer peppers for a milder version.

→ What toppings are traditional?

Traditional toppings include fresh chopped onion, cilantro, sliced radishes, and lime wedges. These add freshness and crunch.

→ How should I serve this dish?

Serve hot in bowls with all the toppings. Warm corn tortillas make a great accompaniment for a complete meal.

Conclusion

This traditional Mexican beef stew combines tender strips of steak and crispy bacon in a fresh tomatillo-cilantro sauce with pinto beans. Topped with crisp vegetables and lime for a complete meal.

Carne en su Jugo

A hearty Mexican stew featuring tender beef and bacon simmered in zesty tomatillo sauce with pinto beans. Top with fresh garnishes for authentic flavor.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes

Category: Hearty Mains

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 6 Servings (6 bowls)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 12 ounces bacon, chopped.
02 2½ pounds beef strip steak, sliced bite-sized.
03 3 teaspoons kosher salt, divided.
04 6 tomatillos, husked and rinsed.
05 3 serrano peppers, stemmed and seeded.
06 1 cup packed cilantro, chopped, plus more for topping.
07 3 cloves garlic.
08 ½ teaspoon ground cumin.
09 ½ teaspoon ground black pepper.
10 3 cups water.
11 2 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed.
12 Chopped white onion for serving.
13 Sliced radishes for serving.
14 Lime wedges for serving.

Instructions

Step 01

Cook chopped bacon in large pot over medium heat for 10 minutes until crispy. Remove to bowl.

Step 02

Season beef with 1 teaspoon salt. Brown in bacon fat for 10 minutes.

Step 03

Blend tomatillos, serranos, ½ cup cilantro, garlic, cumin, pepper, water, and 2 teaspoons salt until smooth.

Step 04

Add sauce to browned meat. Bring to boil, reduce heat, cover and cook 30-35 minutes until meat is tender.

Step 05

Add beans and cook 2 minutes more. Serve topped with bacon, onions, cilantro, radishes and lime.

Notes

  1. Can substitute olive oil for bacon if preferred.
  2. Traditional Mexican beef stew with tomatillo sauce.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot or dutch oven.
  • Blender.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 620
  • Total Fat: 31 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 25 g
  • Protein: 58 g