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    Home » Recipes » Beef » Carne con Papas

    Carne con Papas

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted March 4, 2021 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Carne con Papas (or Mexican Beef and Potatoes) is the perfect family meal. Cooked in a rich, savory tomato sauce that’ll make you want to lick your plate! A delicious addition to your weeknight and weekend menu plans.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Carne con Papas served next to beans and rice and surrounded by toppings.

    Carne con Papas served next to beans and rice and surrounded by toppings.

    Carne con Papas is made of meat and potatoes cooked in a rich, savory tomato sauce… Mmm!

    There are plenty of variations of this classic Mexican dish. We’re from the State of Durango. I’m bringing you the way my mom made it.

    She served it just like this – with slices of serrano on the side to add more heat for those who like it HOT. (raises hand)

    You’re going to LOVE this simple recipe that’s hearty, filling, and full of flavor.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for carne con papas laid out on a wooden table.

    Serrano chiles are spicier than jalapenos. You can easily use jalapenos instead in this recipe.

    For a less spicy dish, use only 1 serrano chile.

    Knorr Beef Bouillon is a very common ingredient in Mexican households.

    If you are not a fan, you can use Better than Bouillon instead.

    How to Make It


    Raw beef chopped into 1-inch pieces on a glass baking dish and surrounded by spices.

    • Chop up the beef into 1-inch pieces.
    • Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and cumin.

    Here, we are using chuck roast. It has a good amount of fat in it to give the dish flavor.

    For a leaner cut without as much fat, try top loin, bottom round, or eye of round steak.

    Please Note: You might also hear this dish referred to as “Carne Guisada con Papas,” or “Beef Stew with Potatoes.”

    More Mexican Beef Recipes:

    Birria de Res
    Fideo con Carne
    Carne en Su Jugo
    Picadillo

    Beef cooking in a stock pot.

    • Heat the oil in a large stock pot.
    • Add the beef and onion.

    Cook for 5 minutes, or until the juices are released.

    While this is cooking, work on the sauce.

    Be sure to use a big stock pot. One pot meals mean one BIG pot.

    A collage showing how to make the sauce for the beef.

    • Add the tomatoes, serrano, onion, and garlic to the blender.
    • Add bouillon and water.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Pour the tomato sauce into the pot.

    Pro Tip:

    Taste the sauce before you add it to the pot.

    Does it need salt?
    Is it too spicy?
    Is it not spicy enough?

    This is your opportunity to ADJUST if you need to.

    How to adjust the heat: If you find the sauce too spicy, add another tomato to the blender. More tomatoes will tame the heat.

    A hand holding a bowl of raw potatoes over the stock pot.

    • Add the diced potatoes.
    • Cook for 10 minutes.

    To keep the potatoes from turning brown, place them in water while you’re waiting to add them to the pot.

    Hate peeling tomatoes? Me too!
    Swap out for red potatoes or fingerling potatoes that require NO PEELING. Whoot!

    A spoon holding tomato paste over a stock pot.

    • Add the tomato paste.
    • Stir to combine.

    The tomato paste will thicken the sauce, making it rich and yummy.

    Cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fully cooked.

    Check them in 5 minutes. If they are fork tender, then you’re good to go.

    For a thicker cut potato, you might need as long as 15 minutes to fully cook through.

    Carne con Papas served next to beans and rice and surrounded by toppings.

    What Serve With It


    Frijoles de la Olla
    Arroz Blanco
    Ensalada de Nopales
    Corn Tortillas

    Carne con Papas is a tasty Mexican recipe that’s perfect all week long. Save some leftovers and make burritos. Hope you enjoy this yummy dish!

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    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!
    Carne con Papas served next to beans and rice and surrounded by toppings.

    Carne con Papas

    Carne con Papas (or Mexican Beef and Potatoes) is the perfect family meal. Cooked in a rich, savory tomato sauce that’ll make you want to lick your plate! A delicious addition to your weeknight and weekend menu plans.
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 604kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    To Make The Beef:

    • 2 tbsp olive oil
    • 2 1/2 lbs chuck roast beef chopped into 1-inch pieces
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/4 tsp ground pepper
    • 1 tsp ground cumin
    • 1/4 tsp ground oregano
    • 1/2 onion diced (for the beef)
    • 2 potatoes peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
    • 2 tbsp tomato paste

    To Make The Sauce:

    • 3 Roma tomatoes quartered
    • 1/2 onion rough chopped (for the sauce)
    • 2 garlic cloves
    • 2 serrano peppers stems removed
    • 1 tsp beef bouillon
    • 4 cup water

    Instructions

    To Make the Beef:

    • In a large stock pot, heat the oil.
    • Season the beef with salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano.
    • Add the beef and onion to the stock pot and cook for 5 minutes.

    To Make the Tomato Sauce:

    • While the beef is cooking, add tomatoes, onion, garlic, serranos, bouillon, and water to a blender.
    • Blend until smooth.
    • Pour sauce into the stock pot with the beef.
    • Add the diced potatoes.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Cover and cook for 10 minutes.
    • Add the tomato paste to the pot.
    • Stir to combine.
    • Cook for an additional 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork tender.
    • Serve with plenty of sauce and enjoy!

    Notes

    Add 1 more serrano to make the sauce extra spicy. 
    How to adjust the heat: If you find the sauce too spicy, add another tomato to the blender. More tomatoes will tame the heat.
    PRO TIP: Taste the sauce before you add it to the pot. This is your opportunity to ADJUST if you need to.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 604kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 56g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 605mg | Potassium: 1201mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 584IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 7mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!

    Filed Under: Beef

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy

      March 4, 2021 at 10:20 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! Perfect for a nice cool night!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 16, 2021 at 10:28 am

        So glad you enjoyed this Amy! Hope you try it

        Reply
    2. Freya

      March 4, 2021 at 10:43 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious recipe!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 16, 2021 at 10:28 am

        So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
        • Monique

          November 27, 2022 at 10:20 pm

          mine was waaaay to watery. What did I do wrong

        • Maggie Unzueta

          November 28, 2022 at 7:14 am

          Did you add the tomato paste? That’s what thickens it up.

    3. Sue

      March 5, 2021 at 3:37 am

      5 stars
      Delish!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 16, 2021 at 10:27 am

        Thanks! Glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
    4. Lindsay

      March 5, 2021 at 4:18 am

      5 stars
      One of those perfect recipes for make ahead Weeknight dinners! Live these flavors so much.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 14, 2021 at 11:31 am

        It is! Hope you try it

        Reply
    5. Kay

      March 5, 2021 at 4:49 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe, the family thoroughly enjoyed this dish 🙂

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 14, 2021 at 11:31 am

        So glad you and your family enjoyed this!

        Reply
    6. Leslie

      March 5, 2021 at 5:57 am

      5 stars
      Great, hearty recipe!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 14, 2021 at 11:30 am

        It is! Hope you try it!

        Reply
    7. Jessica Formicola

      March 5, 2021 at 7:51 am

      5 stars
      This carne con papas looks like it’s full of flavor! We have Mexican nights at least once a week, and this is next on our list!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 14, 2021 at 11:30 am

        Great. It’s a really yummy dish. Hope you try it

        Reply
    8. Emily Flint

      March 5, 2021 at 8:39 am

      5 stars
      This looks so amazing and flavorful. I’m off to the grocery store to get the ingredients and make this today!!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 14, 2021 at 11:26 am

        Wohoo! Hope you like it as much as I do

        Reply
    9. Ramona

      March 8, 2021 at 11:12 am

      5 stars
      Beautiful and yummy recipe – it made a delicious supper. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        March 9, 2021 at 1:52 pm

        Thanks! So glad you enjoyed this!

        Reply
        • Brenda

          November 25, 2022 at 10:07 pm

          Thank you so much for this recipe! My family is from Durango too (Santiago Papasquiaro)!! It’s SO nice to see recipes from Northern Mexico/ Durango online, since they’re usually so hard to find. Thanks for posting!!!

        • Maggie Unzueta

          November 28, 2022 at 7:15 am

          Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango! I have distant family there. Saludos paisana.

    10. Ana Navarrete

      April 17, 2021 at 8:41 pm

      5 stars
      I love making it my dad was from canatlan and my mom was from chihuahua so we grew up with all the dishes and carne con papas was my dad’s and my favorite we would have it with Mexicn rice and frijoles de la olla also the tortillas con huevo loved them thank you

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        April 19, 2021 at 12:50 pm

        So glad you enjoyed this Ana!

        Reply
    11. Jaime

      February 22, 2022 at 7:19 pm

      5 stars
      Came out sooo good. My husband and kids loved it!

      Reply
      • Maggie Unzueta

        February 23, 2022 at 2:55 pm

        I love it when I hear that kids liked a recipe. My kiddo can be somewhat picky. Hope you make it again!

        Reply

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