Instant Pot Carne Guisada
A quick and authentic Mexican and Puerto Rican stew featuring tender beef in a rich, savory gravy, made in the Instant Pot.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef chuck roast or stew meat, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes Optional for depth of flavor
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano (preferably Mexican)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
For Thickening the Gravy
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water to create a slurry
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the beef cubes dry and season them generously with salt and pepper.
- Press the Sauté function on your Instant Pot and add the olive oil.
- Once the pot is hot, sear the meat in batches, browning each side for 1–2 minutes. Do not crowd the pot. Remove the seared beef and set aside.
Cooking
- Add the chopped onion and minced jalapeño (if using) to the pot. Cook for 3–4 minutes until the onion begins to soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Press Cancel. Pour in the beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Return the seared beef, tomato sauce, and bay leaf to the pot. Do not stir. Secure the lid and set the valve to Sealing.
- Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button and cook on HIGH pressure for 35 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, let the pressure Naturally Release for 15 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure by switching the valve to Venting.
- Carefully open the lid and remove the bay leaf.
Thickening the Gravy
- Press the Sauté function again.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the flour or cornstarch with the cold water to form a smooth slurry.
- Once the stew liquid begins to simmer, slowly whisk in the slurry.
- Simmer, stirring constantly, for 1–2 minutes until the gravy thickens to your preferred consistency.
- Press Cancel and serve.
Notes
For storage, keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Carne Guisada freezes well; cool completely and freeze for up to 3 months.