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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
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
- 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 ResFideo con Carne
Carne en Su Jugo
Picadillo
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
- 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.
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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Table of Contents
Carne con Papas
Ingredients
To Make The Beef:
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 ½ lbs chuck roast beef chopped into 1-inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground oregano
- ½ onion diced (for the beef)
- 2 potatoes peeled and diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
To Make The Sauce:
- 3 Roma tomatoes quartered
- ½ onion rough chopped (for the sauce)
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 serrano peppers stems removed
- 1 teaspoon 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
Nutrition
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.
Another great keeper, Ms. Maggie. The sauce was a bit more liquid than I expected (though I used only about half the suggested amount of stock), but with a wonderful flavor. Maybe my Romas were a bit juicier than normal. Served it with Mayocoba pot beans, which I then fried with bacon drippings.
Thanks again,
Joe
If the roma tomatoes are juicy, yes, that could’ve done it. I like this dish a little runny. If you want to thicken it up, add a squirt of tomato paste next time you’re making Carne con Papas.
Thank you for providing actual measurements! So, very helpful. Is the nutrition info based on a single serving?
My recipe card generates the nutrition based on single servings.
Came out sooo good. My husband and kids loved it!
I love it when I hear that kids liked a recipe. My kiddo can be somewhat picky. Hope you make it again!
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
So glad you enjoyed this Ana!
Beautiful and yummy recipe – it made a delicious supper. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed this!
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!!!
Santiago Papasquiaro, Durango! I have distant family there. Saludos paisana.
This looks so amazing and flavorful. I’m off to the grocery store to get the ingredients and make this today!!
Wohoo! Hope you like it as much as I do
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!
Great. It’s a really yummy dish. Hope you try it
Great, hearty recipe!
It is! Hope you try it!
Great recipe, the family thoroughly enjoyed this dish 🙂
So glad you and your family enjoyed this!
One of those perfect recipes for make ahead Weeknight dinners! Live these flavors so much.
It is! Hope you try it
Delish!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed this!
Delicious recipe!
So glad you enjoyed this!
mine was waaaay to watery. What did I do wrong
Did you add the tomato paste? That’s what thickens it up.
Yum! Perfect for a nice cool night!
So glad you enjoyed this Amy! Hope you try it