Carne Guisada Española (Spanish Beef Stew)
Why this recipe works
- Deep savoury base: Browning the beef first leaves concentrated flavour in the pot, which is lifted into the sauce with red wine.
- Gentle simmering: A slow, covered simmer helps the stew meat soften before the potatoes are added for the final stage.
- Hearty finish: Waxy potatoes absorb the paprika-rich sauce while helping it thicken into a satisfying stew.
Get the most out of this recipe
Ingredient notes
- Use sweet paprika: Sweet paprika gives the stew its warm colour and rounded flavour without adding heat.
- Choose waxy potatoes: Waxy potatoes hold their shape better during simmering, so the stew stays hearty rather than mushy.
- Cook with a drinkable wine: The wine reduces into the sauce, so use one with a clean flavour rather than anything harsh or overly sweet.
Common mistakes
- Do not crowd the beef: Brown the meat in batches so it colours properly instead of steaming in its own juices.
- Keep the simmer gentle: A rapid boil can make stew meat tighten and dry out before it has time to become tender.
- Watch the paprika: Paprika can turn bitter if it scorches, so stir it briefly with the tomato purée before adding the wine.
Make-ahead tips
- Even better the next day: The sauce deepens as it rests, making this stew well suited to cooking ahead.
- Reheat gently: Warm it slowly on the hob with a splash of water if the sauce has thickened in the fridge.
- Freezes well: Cool completely before freezing, then defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat until piping hot.
Timing notes
- Mostly hands-off cooking: The active work is mainly browning and softening the vegetables; the tenderness comes from the slow simmer.
- Let it stand briefly: A short rest before serving helps the sauce settle and gives the potatoes time to absorb more flavour.
Equipment you'll need
Ingredients
Instructions
- Halve and thinly slice the onion. Core and slice the red pepper into strips, then peel and cut the potatoes into bite-size chunks.
- Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season the beef with the fine sea salt and black pepper, then brown in batches for 6 to 8 minutes total, turning until well coloured; transfer to a plate.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the onion and red pepper to the pot. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until softened and lightly golden.
- Stir in the sweet paprika and tomato purée and cook for 1 minute, just until fragrant. Pour in the red wine and scrape up any browned bits from the base of the pot.
- Return the beef to the pot and add the bay leaves and water. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low for 60 minutes, stirring once or twice, until the beef is starting to turn tender.
- Add the potatoes, return to a gentle simmer, and cook uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning with a little more fine sea salt and black pepper if needed, then rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Recipe notes
Serving suggestions
This recipe pairs well with:
Tips
- Keep the stew at a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil so the beef turns tender without drying out.
- If the sauce thickens too quickly once the potatoes go in, add a splash of water and continue simmering until the potatoes are tender.
- For a smoother sauce, press a few potato pieces against the side of the pot and stir them back in during the final 5 minutes.
Substitutions
- Replace Red wine with dry white wine for a lighter, slightly fruitier sauce.
- Replace Sweet paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavour.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months; defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the hob with a splash of water until piping hot.
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Recipe overview
- Servings: 4 servings
- Total time: 2h (30min active)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: Spanish
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