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Carne en su Jugo (Mexican Beef in its Juices) 1

Carne en su Jugo (Mexican Beef in its Juices)

L. L. Sofia
Carne en su Jugo is a rich and flavorful Mexican stew from Jalisco, made with tender beef, smoky bacon, pinto beans, and a tangy tomatillo broth. This hearty dish is packed with authentic flavors, perfect for a comforting meal. Serve it with warm corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges for a truly traditional experience.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Comfort Foods
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 servings
Calories 480 kcal

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients:

  • 12 oz bacon chopped
  • 2 ½ lbs beef sirloin cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 3 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 6 tomatillos husked and rinsed
  • 3 serrano peppers stemmed and seeded (for heat, keep the seeds!)
  • 1 cup fresh cilantro chopped (divided)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 3 cups water or beef broth
  • 2 15-oz cans pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Toppings (Optional):

  • 1 white onion finely chopped
  • Fresh cilantro chopped
  • Radishes thinly sliced
  • Lime wedges
  • Chopped jalapeños

Instructions
 

  • 1️⃣ Preparation
  • Cut the bacon into small pieces.
  • Dice the beef into bite-sized cubes.
  • Husk and rinse the tomatillos.
  • Remove seeds from the serrano peppers (unless you prefer extra heat).
  • 2️⃣ Cook the Bacon
  • Heat a large Dutch oven or deep pot over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped bacon and cook for 10 minutes until crispy.
  • Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
  • 3️⃣ Brown the Beef
  • Season the beef with 1 teaspoon salt.
  • Add the beef to the pot and brown on all sides (about 10 minutes).
  • Remove and set aside.
  • 4️⃣ Make the Tomatillo Sauce

In a blender, add:

  • Tomatillos
  • Serrano peppers
  • ½ cup cilantro
  • Garlic, cumin, black pepper, and 2 tsp salt
  • 3 cups water or beef broth
  • Blend until smooth.
  • 5️⃣ Simmer Everything Together
  • Pour the tomatillo sauce into the pot.
  • Add the browned beef back in.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 30-35 minutes.
  • 6️⃣ Add the Pinto Beans
  • Stir in the pinto beans and let them heat for 2 more minutes.
  • 7️⃣ Serve & Garnish
  • Ladle into bowls and top with:✔ Crispy bacon✔ Diced onions✔ Chopped cilantro✔ Radish slices✔ Fresh lime juice
  • Serve with warm corn tortillas on the side.

Notes

  • For a spicier version, keep the serrano pepper seeds in.
  • If you don’t have bacon, substitute with ham or chorizo.
  • For extra richness, use beef broth instead of water.