Craving a meal that warms you from the inside out? Look no further than Mexican Stew, a vibrant and satisfying dish that takes the classic comfort of beef stew and infuses it with the bold flavors of Mexico. This isn’t just any stew; it’s a hearty, vegetable-packed adventure for your taste buds, perfect for chilly evenings or any time you need a culinary hug. If you’re a fan of easy, flavorful meals, this Mexican beef stew recipe is about to become your new favorite. It’s a delightful twist on traditional beef stew, similar to the comforting Classic Beef Stew but with a zesty south-of-the-border flair. And if you enjoy exploring different stew variations, be sure to check out our equally delicious Chicken Stew recipe next!
Bowl of Mexican Stew with cilantro garnish
Discover the Simplicity of Mexican Beef Stew
What makes this Mexican beef stew recipe so appealing? It’s incredibly easy to prepare. If you can chop vegetables and open a few cans, you’re well on your way to creating a mouthwatering meal. We understand those busy weeknights when life feels like a whirlwind, and that’s precisely when recipes like this become a lifesaver. This Spanish-inspired beef stew shares a familiar foundation with regular Beef Stew but introduces exciting new dimensions of flavor. We opted to skip the celery, as it wasn’t quite a hit with our family’s palate, and instead added black beans and a generous dose of taco seasoning for that authentic Mexican zest. And instead of plain diced tomatoes, we use Rotel tomatoes with green chilies to kick up the spice level just right. For those who love the warmth and heartiness of soups and stews, this Mexican beef soup is a must-try – a delicious spin on a timeless classic!
Crafting Your Mexican Stew: Ingredients and Steps
The beauty of this Mexican beef stew recipe lies in its simple ingredient list, mostly mirroring a classic stew, with a few key additions that make all the difference.
- Beef: For the best results, we recommend using a chuck roast, cut into perfect bite-sized pieces. Stew meat is another fantastic and convenient option if you’re short on time.
- Vegetable Trio: The essential stew vegetables – carrots, potatoes, and onion – form the hearty base of this dish.
- Rotel Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel) bring a touch of heat and authentic Mexican flavor.
- Beef Broth: Opt for low-sodium beef broth to control the saltiness of your stew. Beef stock or bone broth are also excellent alternatives for a richer flavor.
- Black Beans: A can of black beans adds protein, texture, and a distinctly Mexican touch.
- Quick Cooking Tapioca: This is the secret ingredient for thickening your stew to perfection as it cooks. Don’t worry; it dissolves seamlessly, leaving you with a beautifully thickened stew without any noticeable texture.
- Taco Seasoning: The heart and soul of the Mexican flavor! Use your favorite store-bought taco seasoning packet or, for an even more personalized touch, try making your own Taco Seasoning blend.
Easy Steps to Deliciousness:
PREP: Begin by preheating your oven to a gentle 275°F (135°C).
COOK + SERVE! In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, combine all the prepared ingredients. Stir well to ensure everything is nicely mixed. Place the lid securely on top and bake in the preheated oven for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. Once the time is up, carefully remove the pot from the oven and get ready to serve up a comforting bowl of Mexican stew!
Mexican stew in a pot before baking
Tips for the Perfect Mexican Stew
Bean Variations: Feel free to experiment with different beans! Pinto beans or kidney beans would also work wonderfully in this stew, offering slight variations in flavor and texture.
Vegetable Prep: When chopping your vegetables, aim for larger, uniform chunks. Smaller pieces may become too soft during the long cooking time. Cutting them roughly the same size ensures even cooking. We advise against using baby carrots, as they tend to become mushy.
Choosing Your Beef: For stewing, it’s best to choose less expensive, tougher cuts of beef like chuck roast or stew meat. These cuts are perfect for long simmering, which breaks down the connective tissues and results in incredibly tender, flavorful beef. While stew meat needs time to become tender, be mindful not to overcook it, or it might start to fall apart – ideal for shredded beef, but less so for stew.
Homemade Taco Seasoning Magic: Elevate your Mexican stew by making your own Taco Seasoning! A simple blend of chili powder, garlic salt, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper allows you to customize the flavor profile to your liking. Want more heat? Add extra chili powder or red pepper flakes. Prefer a more smoky flavor? Increase the paprika.
Serving Suggestions: Get creative with your garnishes! Fresh cilantro or parsley adds a bright, fresh note. A squeeze of lime juice provides a zesty counterpoint to the richness of the stew. Shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Mexican crema, or a sprinkle of chopped avocado can also take your stew to the next level.
Searing for Deeper Flavor (Optional): While this recipe is designed for ease and doesn’t require searing the beef, if you have a few extra minutes, searing the beef cubes before adding them to the pot will add an extra layer of rich, browned flavor.
- Heat a skillet over high heat with a bit of olive oil.
- Add the beef cubes to the hot skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan (work in batches if necessary).
- Sear the beef for a few minutes on each side until a nice crust forms on all sides. The key is to use high heat and sear quickly to brown the outside without cooking the inside.
Close up of Mexican stew with garnishes
Cooking Methods to Suit Your Style
Oven Cooking: This Mexican stew recipe is designed to be slow-cooked in the oven, which provides gentle, even heat for optimal tenderness and flavor development. Ensure you use a pot with a lid that’s oven-safe, such as a Dutch oven or a cast iron pot with a lid.
Stovetop Option: Prefer stovetop cooking? No problem! Bring the stew to a boil in a large pot, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for approximately 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
Slow Cooker Simplicity: For ultimate convenience, the slow cooker is your best friend. Simply place all ingredients in a 6-quart or larger slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours. We don’t recommend cooking on high, as low and slow cooking is the key to tenderizing tougher cuts of beef.
Flour tortillas with Mexican stew
Storing and Make-Ahead Tips
Make-Ahead Marvel: Mexican stew is an ideal make-ahead meal. The flavors actually deepen and improve overnight, making it perfect for meal prepping or for cooking ahead for gatherings.
Freezing for Future Comfort: Leftover Mexican beef stew freezes beautifully. Once completely cooled, transfer it to freezer-safe airtight containers and freeze for up to 4-6 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating: Reheat your Mexican stew gently on the stovetop over medium heat until heated through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave for quicker meals.
Storing Leftovers: Store leftover Mexican beef stew in airtight containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Mexican Stew FAQs
Q: What’s the secret to incredibly tender beef in stew?
A: Low and slow cooking is the magic! Whether in the oven at 275°F (135°C) for up to 4 hours or in a slow cooker on LOW for 7-8 hours, this gentle cooking method breaks down tough fibers and results in melt-in-your-mouth beef.
Q: Can I use different cuts of beef?
A: Absolutely! Bottom round roast, round tip roast, or even brisket are excellent alternatives to chuck roast or stew meat. Just ensure you choose a cut that benefits from longer cooking times to become tender.
Q: What should I serve with Mexican beef stew?
A: This stew is hearty enough to be a meal on its own, but for a truly satisfying experience, consider serving it with warm Tortillas. We love using tortillas to scoop up the delicious chunks of meat and vegetables, ditching the spoons altogether! Rice, cornbread, or a simple side salad are also great companions.
Craving More Mexican-Inspired Soups? Try These:
Mexican Beef Stew Recipe
By: Lil’ Luna
This Mexican Beef Stew is a delightful twist on the classic, offering a hearty, comforting, and vegetable-rich meal with tender beef.
Servings: 6
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 hours
Total time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds stew meat (or chuck roast cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 1 small onion, large dice
- 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1 pound potatoes, washed, peeled, and cut into large chunks
- 2 (10oz) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons quick cooking tapioca
- 1 package taco seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 275°F (135°C).
- Combine all ingredients in a large oven-safe pot and mix well. Place lid on top and bake for 4 hours.
- Remove from oven and serve hot.
Video
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Nutrition
Calories: 307kcal, Carbohydrates: 22g, Protein: 37g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 94mg, Sodium: 741mg, Potassium: 1006mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 7341IU, Vitamin C: 15mg, Calcium: 71mg, Iron: 6mg
Nutritional information is an approximation.
