Carne en su Jugo is a traditional Mexican dish that translates to 'meat in its juice.' This flavorful stew combines tender beef, crispy bacon, and hearty pinto beans in a tangy tomatillo broth. It's a comforting and satisfying meal that's perfect for any occasion.
If you're not familiar with tomatillos, they are small, green fruits with a slightly tangy flavor, often used in Mexican cuisine. You can find them in the produce section of most supermarkets. Additionally, make sure to get pinto beans that are already cooked, either canned or pre-cooked at home, to save time.
Ingredients for Carne en su Jugo Recipe
Beef sirloin: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness.
Bacon: Adds a smoky, crispy element to the dish.
Water: Used to create the broth.
Pinto beans: Provides a hearty texture and flavor.
Tomatillos: Blended to create a tangy base for the broth.
Garlic: Minced to add depth of flavor.
Onion: Chopped and cooked until softened for sweetness.
Salt: To taste, for seasoning.
Pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When blending tomatillos, ensure they are fully ripe for a balanced flavor. If they are too tart, you can add a pinch of sugar to the blend. Additionally, when cooking the bacon, save a bit of the rendered fat to add depth to the beef as it browns. This will enhance the overall richness of the dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
beef sirloin - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is a leaner option and can be thinly sliced to mimic the texture of beef sirloin.
beef sirloin - Substitute with pork tenderloin: Pork tenderloin is tender and can be sliced thinly, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.
bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon is a lower-fat alternative that still provides a smoky flavor.
bacon - Substitute with smoked sausage: Smoked sausage can add a similar smoky and savory flavor to the dish.
water - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth adds more depth of flavor compared to plain water.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used for a vegetarian option, adding more flavor than water.
pinto beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and can be used interchangeably with pinto beans.
pinto beans - Substitute with kidney beans: Kidney beans are slightly larger but offer a similar texture and flavor.
tomatillos - Substitute with green tomatoes: Green tomatoes can provide a similar tartness and can be blended to match the consistency of tomatillos.
tomatillos - Substitute with green bell peppers: Green bell peppers can be blended and used to provide a similar color and a mild flavor.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic, though the flavor will be slightly less intense.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder garlic flavor and can be minced to match the texture.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder onion flavor and can be chopped to match the texture.
onion - Substitute with scallions: Scallions provide a similar flavor and can be chopped to match the texture of onions.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty flavor along with additional umami.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct substitute for regular salt, offering a slightly different mineral flavor.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a spicier kick if desired.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the carne en su jugo to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.
Transfer the beef sirloin mixture to an airtight container. Make sure the container is clean and dry to maintain the freshness of the dish.
If you plan to consume the dish within a few days, store it in the refrigerator. The carne en su jugo will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days when properly refrigerated.
For longer storage, consider freezing the dish. Divide the carne en su jugo into individual portions to make reheating easier and more convenient.
Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags to store the portions. Label each container or bag with the date to keep track of its freshness.
When freezing, try to remove as much air as possible from the containers or bags to prevent freezer burn. This will help maintain the quality and flavor of the carne en su jugo.
To reheat, thaw the frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps retain the texture and flavor of the dish.
Once thawed, reheat the carne en su jugo in a pot over medium heat until it reaches the desired temperature. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.
If the dish appears too thick after reheating, you can add a splash of water or broth to achieve the desired consistency.
Serve the reheated carne en su jugo with your favorite toppings, such as chopped onions, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime juice, to enhance the flavors.
How to Reheat Leftovers
For stovetop reheating, pour the carne en su jugo into a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until it reaches your desired temperature. This method helps maintain the texture of the beef and bacon while keeping the broth flavorful.
If using a microwave, transfer the carne en su jugo to a microwave-safe dish. Cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap to retain moisture. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until thoroughly heated. This ensures even heating without drying out the meat.
For oven reheating, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the carne en su jugo in an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until heated through. This method is great for reheating larger portions and keeps the broth rich and savory.
To reheat using a slow cooker, transfer the carne en su jugo to the slow cooker and set it to low. Allow it to heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally. This method is perfect for maintaining the dish's original flavors and texture, especially if you have a busy schedule.
For a quick reheat, you can use a steamer basket. Place the carne en su jugo in a heatproof bowl and set it in the steamer. Steam for about 10-15 minutes or until hot. This method helps retain the moisture and tenderness of the beef and bacon.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used for cooking the bacon, beef, and simmering the entire dish.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients as they cook.
Blender: Necessary for blending the tomatillos into a smooth consistency.
Knife: Essential for chopping the bacon, slicing the beef, and mincing the garlic.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping and slicing ingredients.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the water and cooked pinto beans accurately.
Mixing bowl: Handy for holding the cooked bacon after it is removed from the pot.
Ladle: Useful for serving the hot dish into bowls.
Tongs: Helps in handling the bacon and beef while cooking.
Garlic press: Optional, but can be used for mincing the garlic more efficiently.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Slice the beef sirloin and chop the bacon the night before to save time.
Use canned beans: Opt for canned pinto beans instead of cooking them from scratch.
Blender efficiency: Blend the tomatillos and water together to save a step.
One-pot cooking: Cook the bacon, beef, onion, and garlic in the same pot to reduce cleanup time.
Quick boil: Use hot water to bring the mixture to a boil faster.
Carne en su Jugo Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Bacon, chopped
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup Pinto beans, cooked
- 1 cup Tomatillos, blended
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1 small Onion, chopped
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- 2. In the same pot, add the beef and cook until browned.
- 3. Add the onion and garlic, and cook until softened.
- 4. Pour in the blended tomatillos and water. Bring to a boil.
- 5. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- 6. Add the cooked pinto beans and bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- 7. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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