Carne en su Jugo Recipe

Beef flank steak: Cut into small pieces, this tender cut of beef is perfect for simmering in the broth.

Bacon: Adds a smoky, crispy texture to the dish.

Pinto beans: These cooked beans provide a hearty and creamy element.

Beef broth: Forms the base of the soup, adding depth and richness.

Onion: Chopped and sautéed, it adds sweetness and flavor.

Garlic: Minced for a pungent, aromatic touch.

Tomatillos: Chopped, they bring a tangy and slightly acidic flavor.

Jalapeño: Adds heat and a bit of spice.

Cilantro: Chopped and stirred in at the end for freshness.

Salt: To taste, enhances all the flavors.

Pepper: To taste, adds a bit of heat and seasoning.

When cooking the bacon, make sure to render out as much fat as possible to achieve a crispy texture. This rendered fat will also add a rich flavor to the beef when you cook it in the same pot. Additionally, when adding the tomatillos and jalapeño, ensure they are finely chopped to help them break down and integrate into the broth, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.

• beef flank steak - Substitute with chuck roast: Chuck roast is a more affordable cut that becomes tender when cooked slowly, making it a good alternative for beef flank steak.

• bacon - Substitute with pancetta: Pancetta provides a similar salty and savory flavor, though it is not smoked like bacon.

• pinto beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and flavor profile, making them a suitable replacement for pinto beans.

• beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth can be used in a pinch, though it will impart a slightly different flavor. Adding a bit of soy sauce can help mimic the beefy taste.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder and slightly sweeter flavor, which can work well in place of onions.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used if fresh garlic is unavailable, though it lacks the same depth of flavor.

• tomatillos - Substitute with green tomatoes: Green tomatoes provide a similar tartness and texture, making them a good stand-in for tomatillos.

• jalapeño - Substitute with serrano pepper: Serrano peppers are slightly hotter but can be used in place of jalapeños for a similar flavor profile.

• cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can be used if cilantro is not available, though it will not provide the same distinct flavor.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add both saltiness and umami, enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.

• pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor, making it a good alternative to black pepper.

• Allow the carne en su jugo to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy textures and spoilage.

• Transfer the carne en su jugo to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the soup but not so large that there is excessive air space, which can cause freezer burn.

• Label the container with the date and contents. This is especially helpful if you have multiple soups or stews stored in your freezer.

• Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the carne en su jugo within 3-4 days. For longer storage, place the container in the freezer.

• If freezing, ensure the container is freezer-safe. Leave a small amount of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion as the broth freezes.

• When ready to reheat, thaw the carne en su jugo in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor of the beef and vegetables.

• Reheat the carne en su jugo on the stovetop over medium heat until it reaches a simmer. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and to prevent the bacon and beans from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

• Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed after reheating, as flavors can sometimes mellow during storage.

• Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro if desired, to refresh the flavors and add a burst of freshness to the reheated dish.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place the leftover carne en su jugo in a saucepan.
  2. Add a splash of beef broth or water to maintain moisture.
  3. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
  4. Ensure the beef and beans are heated evenly.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the carne en su jugo to a microwave-safe bowl.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent.
  3. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  4. Check the temperature and heat in 30-second increments if needed.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the carne en su jugo in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil.
  3. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Remove the foil for the last 5 minutes if you want a slightly crispy texture on the bacon.

• Slow Cooker Method:

  1. Transfer the carne en su jugo to your slow cooker.
  2. Add a bit of beef broth or water to keep it moist.
  3. Set the slow cooker to low and heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  4. This method is perfect for maintaining the dish's rich flavors and tender texture.

• Large pot: Used to cook the bacon, brown the beef, and simmer the entire dish.

• Tongs: Handy for removing the crispy bacon from the pot.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients as they cook.

• Cutting board: Essential for chopping the beef, bacon, onion, garlic, tomatillos, jalapeño, and cilantro.

• Chef's knife: Necessary for chopping all the ingredients.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the pinto beans and beef broth accurately.

• Garlic press: Useful for mincing the garlic cloves quickly.

• Ladle: Perfect for serving the hot soup into bowls.

• Bowls: Needed for setting aside the cooked bacon and for serving the final dish.

• Stove: Required for cooking the entire recipe.

Pre-cook the bacon: Cook the bacon ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly add it to the dish when needed.

Use pre-chopped ingredients: Buy pre-chopped onions, garlic, and tomatillos to save time on prep work.

Instant pot method: Use an Instant Pot to cook the beef and broth together. This reduces the cooking time significantly.

Canned beans: Use canned pinto beans instead of cooking them from scratch. Just rinse and add them to the pot.

Batch cooking: Double the recipe and freeze half for a quick meal later.