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Traditional Mexican stew with vibrant vegetables and spices in a bowl

Traditional Mexican Stew

A heartwarming dish featuring tender beef in a richly flavored broth, enhanced with a blend of spices and slow-cooked ingredients.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the stew
  • 3 lbs beef chuck roast, cut into chunks Use a well-marbled cut for tenderness
  • 2 pieces dried guajillo chiles
  • 2 pieces dried ancho chiles
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tbsp vinegar
  • to taste Salt and pepper Adjust according to preference
  • Corn tortillas for serving Warm tortillas enhance serving
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish Chopped
  • Onion for garnish Diced

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Begin by toasting the dried chiles in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes to enhance their flavors. After toasting, remove the stems and seeds to prepare them for blending.
  2. In a blender, combine the toasted chiles with minced garlic, chopped onion, cumin, oregano, ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and 1 cup of the beef broth. Blend until smooth to create a rich chili sauce.
  3. In a large pot, season the beef chunks generously with salt and pepper, then sear them over medium-high heat until they are browned on all sides, locking in the juices.
Cooking
  1. Pour the blended chili sauce over the browned beef in the pot, add the remaining beef broth and vinegar, and stir well. Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and let it simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, until the beef is tender and flavorful.
  2. Once the beef has finished cooking, use two forks to shred it into bite-sized pieces and stir it back into the flavorful broth.
Serving
  1. Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and diced onion, alongside warm corn tortillas for a complete, satisfying meal.

Notes

To elevate your Traditional Mexican Stew, consider toasting the dried chiles for enhanced flavor. Allow the beef to rest before shredding to retain juices. Try adding different spices or seasonal vegetables for variation and nutrition.