Carne En Abobo(Guatemala)
Carne en Abobo is a flavorful Guatemalan beef stew featuring tomatoes, peppers, and spices, perfect for hearty family meals with rich, savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup peanut oil ⓘ
- 1 med onion, finely chopped ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic ⓘ
- 2 red or green bell peppers, seeded and chopped ⓘ
- 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes with green chilies ⓘ
- 1 14.5-oz can diced tomatoes ⓘ
- 3 lb stew beef ⓘ
- 1 11-oz can tomatillos ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 whole cloves
- 1/2 tsp oregano ⓘ
- About 1/2 cup beef stock ⓘ
- Salt ⓘ
- Pepper ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp masa harina ⓘ
Instructions
- Heat peanut or vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Saute chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped peppers until the onion is soft.
- Add beef stew meat, diced tomatoes with chilies, regular diced tomatoes, tomatillos, bay leaf, cloves, oregano, and beef stock.
- Ensure the liquid covers the meat; add more beef stock if needed.
- Cover and simmer over low heat until the beef is tender, about 2 hours.
- Mix masa harina or cornmeal with a little cold water to make a slurry.
- Stir the masa mixture into the stew and cook until it thickens.
- If the stew remains too watery, add more thickener as needed.
- Remove the bay leaf, cloves, and stems from the tomatillos.
- Serve the stew over a bed of rice.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider marinating the beef in the spices and some of the diced tomatoes for a couple of hours before cooking. If you're out of masa harina, you can substitute with cornmeal or even a flour thickener. For a spicier kick, add jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper when sautéing the vegetables.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Carne En Abobo over fluffy rice for a complete meal. It pairs beautifully with a fresh green salad or some crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. For a unique twist, consider serving it alongside Korean Beef(Bul-Go-Ki) for a fusion dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of beef stock if necessary to maintain moisture. This stew also freezes well; just thaw and reheat when ready to serve.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Carne En Abobo(Guatemala) contains roughly 2440 calories, with 5g protein, 41g carbohydrates, and 262g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (68% of the Daily Value), iron (60% of the Daily Value), and calcium (38% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1406mg per serving (61% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of meat for this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute stew beef with pork or chicken, though cooking times may vary. Just ensure the meat is tender before adding the masa harina for thickening.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To add more heat, incorporate diced jalapeños or a teaspoon of red pepper flakes during the cooking process. You can also serve with hot sauce on the side for those who prefer an extra kick.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! Carne En Abobo tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Just prepare it ahead and refrigerate; reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).