Mexican Beef Stew – Drizzle Me Skinny!

Mexican Beef Stew is a hearty, slow-cooked dish with tender items of lean beef, crimson kidney beans, and a wealthy assortment of greens, all simmered slowly in a tomato-based sauce. This filling and satisfying stew is bursting with Latin-American flavors. 

This 5-Level Weight Watchers beef stew is straightforward and so versatile. It’s a household favourite, so make an enormous batch for meal prep and revel in it all through the week. For extra comforting and scrumptious meals, flick thru our straightforward Dinner Recipes!

Why it is best to attempt Mexican Beef Stew

In the event you haven’t tried Mexican Beef Stew but, listed below are just a few the reason why it is best to add it to your menu:

1. It’s Filling and Satisfying: Mexican Beef Stew is a kind of meals that fills you up with out making you’re feeling overly stuffed. Regardless of utilizing lean beef and a comparatively small quantity of potatoes, the mixture of beans and greens makes this dish hearty sufficient to maintain you full for hours. On days once I know I’ve a busy schedule forward, I’ll make a big batch on Sunday, and it by no means fails to fulfill.
2. Nice for Meal Prep: As I discussed, this stew is ideal for making forward of time. It really will get higher the longer it sits, so leftovers are a dream. Simply retailer it within the fridge, and it’s able to warmth and serve everytime you want it. It’s a dish I depend on when household visits, because it’s straightforward to make in bulk. I serve it with a facet of rice for them, whereas I take pleasure in it by itself with a squeeze of lime and a few tomato slices.
3. Sluggish-Cooking Magic: Whereas the prep work is minimal, Mexican Beef Stew does require some persistence. The slow-cooking course of is what makes the meat melt-in-your-mouth tender, and permits all of the flavors to meld collectively. Don’t let the cooking time scare you away, although—when you’ve browned the meat and began every part simmering, the stovetop does a lot of the be just right for you. In the event you’re busy, that is the place a Crock-Pot can come in useful, letting you take pleasure in a well-developed stew with minimal effort.
4. Versatile and Adaptable: Among the finest issues about this stew is how versatile it’s. You possibly can simply swap out elements primarily based on what you may have obtainable. Out of kidney beans? Strive utilizing black beans or pinto beans as an alternative. No beef? You may make a scrumptious model with rooster and even pork. The secret is to adapt the recipe to your style and pantry whereas conserving the essence of slow-cooked consolation meals.

Servings: 6

Portion Dimension:  2 cups, 480 g.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook dinner Time: 1 hour half-hour

5 WW Factors Per Serving. You possibly can view the recipe on the WW App right here. (WW login required.)

Elements:

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) lean beef, cubed (advocate utilizing chuck roast or prime spherical)
• 1 tsp salt (6 g)
• ½ tsp black pepper (1 g)
• 1 tsp floor cumin (2 g)
• 1 tsp olive oil (5 mL)
• 2 medium potatoes, cubed (about 2 cups or 300 g)
• 2 massive carrots, sliced (about 1 ½ cups or 200 g)
• 1 ½ cups cooked kidney beans (255 g)
• 4 medium tomatoes, grated (about 2 cups or 400 g)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste (30 g)
• 4 cups beef broth or water (960 mL)
• Contemporary cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Lime wedges (for serving)

Directions:

1. Season the Beef: Begin by seasoning your beef cubes with salt, pepper, and floor cumin. Toss the meat within the seasoning to make sure every bit is coated. I like to recommend utilizing a lean lower like chuck roast or prime spherical, which turns into tender after gradual cooking however doesn’t have extra fats.
2. Brown the Beef: In a big pot or Dutch oven, warmth 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium-high warmth. As soon as the oil is scorching, add the meat cubes in a single layer. Brown the meat on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pot—brown the meat in batches if essential. You need a good sear to lock within the flavors and create a golden-brown crust.
3. Sauté the Greens: As soon as all the meat is browned, take away it from the pot and set it apart on a plate. Add the sliced carrots and cubed potatoes to the identical pot. Sauté them within the beef drippings for about 5 minutes, stirring often. This step helps construct the flavour because the greens soften and choose up a few of the browned bits left by the meat.
4. Add Tomatoes and Kidney Beans: After the greens have softened barely, add the grated tomatoes, tomato paste, and kidney beans to the pot. Stir effectively, ensuring to scrape the underside of the pot to include all these flavorful bits from the meat and veggies. Let the tomatoes cook dinner down for about 5 minutes till they begin to thicken.
5. Mix and Simmer: Return the browned beef to the pot, together with any juices. Pour within the beef broth (or water) till the meat, greens, and beans are absolutely submerged. Stir to mix.
6. Sluggish-Cook dinner: Carry the stew to a boil over medium-high warmth, then cut back the warmth to low. Cowl the pot and let the stew simmer gently for 1 hour half-hour, or till the meat is tender and the greens are absolutely cooked. Stir often to forestall sticking, and alter the seasoning as wanted, including extra salt or cumin if desired.
7. Serve: As soon as the stew is thick and flavorful, take away from warmth. Serve in bowls with a sprinkle of contemporary cilantro on prime and lime wedges on the facet for a brilliant, tangy end. If desired, you possibly can serve the stew over rice for a heartier meal.

Variations and Substitutions for Mexican Beef Stew

Each dwelling cook dinner brings their very own spin to Mexican Beef Stew, and listed below are just a few methods you may make it your personal:

1. Decrease Factors: For a lighter model that also packs all the flavour, I usually swap out beef for rooster. Use skinless, boneless rooster breasts and cut back the quantity of potato to only one. Load up on carrots and peppers as an alternative, and you’ll take pleasure in a wholesome, 2-point model of this stew with out lacking out on its comforting flavors.
2. Bean Substitutes: Kidney beans are conventional on this recipe, however black beans or pinto beans can simply be used for a distinct style and texture. Every number of bean brings a barely totally different taste, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
3. Cuban-Impressed Variation: For a richer, barely sweeter twist, you possibly can attempt a Cuban-inspired model utilizing lean pork as an alternative of beef. It’s certainly one of my private favorites, however watch out with the factors—pork can add up shortly, and it’s exhausting to withstand going again for seconds!

Suggestions and Tips for Making Mexican Beef Stew

In the event you’re new to cooking such a stew or simply wish to be certain that it seems completely, listed below are just a few suggestions:

1. Get a Good Sear on the Beef: Don’t skip this step! Browning the meat over excessive warmth caramelizes the floor and creates a depth of taste that merely can’t be achieved another method. Plus, these little browned bits on the backside of the pot are essential to growing the stew’s savory base.
2. Deglaze the Pot: After eradicating the meat, if you add the tomatoes, you’ll want to scrape up all these browned bits from the underside of the pot. This system, referred to as deglazing, helps incorporate that concentrated taste into the stew.
3. Endurance is Key: Low and gradual is the best way to go together with this recipe. Plan for no less than 90 minutes of simmering, or use a gradual cooker for a simple set-it-and-forget-it meal.
4. Alter the Thickness: In the event you discover that the stew is just too thick, don’t hesitate so as to add a bit extra broth. If it’s too skinny, let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer till it reaches your required consistency.

Add Toppings Final: In the event you’re including any contemporary toppings like avocado or cilantro, wait till the stew is served.