Do you love hearty dinners that fill your stomachs, and leave your taste buds desiring more? There is nothing quite like Carne en Su Jugo, this flavorful Mexican stew with a broth that tantalizes your taste buds, crispy bacon, and spices that simmer in your mouth. Every spoonful is packed with flavor, and when it is topped with fresh cilantro, onions, and lime, you may have just tasted heaven! So, lets get cooking! Follow along as we show you how to prepare this recipe as a flavorful freezer meal!
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It is best to store your leftover Carne En Su Jugo in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. If you are making it as a freezer meal, make sure to portion it into freezer usage bags or containers for easy thawing and reheating.
Carne en Su Jugo, when properly stored, will last for four to five days in the fridge. When you are going to store, make sure it has cooled to room temperature before refrigerating in order to prevent added condensation and sogginess during the storing process.
Yes! Carne en Su Jugo freezes really well! For best results make sure to let it cool completely before freezing. Make sure to store in freezer-safe containers or heavy duty freezer bags. This will ensure proper freezer storing.
If you are about to reheat your meal, and it has come from the fridge, you can reheat using the stovetop or the microwave.
If your meal is coming from the freezer, a quick method of reheating is to thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat using the stovetop or microwave, as stated above.
If you wish to cook directly from frozen, then simmer in a pot over low heat until heated through, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
Comment below if you have any questions we didn’t answer.
The cut of meat that will create the best Carne en Su Jugo is beef chuck roast. This cut is well marbled, making it super tender and flavor packed when slow-cooked. If you are looking for alternatives to Beef Chuck Roast, Beef Brisket or stew meat would work well. Some people also use sirloin for a leaner option. Regardless of the cut of meat that you choose to use, slicing the beef into small pieces before cooking allows for total flavor distribution.
Yes! Carne en Su Jugo is a perfect slow cooker recipe. This recipe is great because of the type of meat that is used. The slow cooking process is great at breaking down the meat into juicy fork-tender bites. Dump the contents of your freezer bag into a slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or 4 hours on high until the beef is tender. In the Instant Pot. add ½ cup water into an instant pot, set to high pressure for 65 minutes, then allow a 15-minute natural release followed by a quick release. Then, shred the beef and serve in tortillas with cheese.
Yes! Cooking the bacon first is important for adding a depth of flavor to the dish. Crispy bacon will enhance the broth and also helps to add a salty richness that balances the other ingredients in the dish. If you add raw bacon directly to the stew, it will cook but become soft and chewy instead of the crispiness of it being cooked beforehand. If you are freezing this recipe raw, you can cook the bacon and mix the bacon into the stew before freezing or freeze it separately in a small bag.
To make a Carne en Su Jugo spicier, add some diced jalapenos, or serrano peppers while cooking. You can also stir in hot sauce or cayenne pepper at the end for a bit of a kick. If you want some milder flavors, use green chilis instead of spicy peppers. You can also serve spicy toppings or chili pepper flakes on the side so each person can adjust their heat level.
Yes! Canned pinto beans work well in Carne en Su Jugo because they save time and still absorb the stew’s flavors. When you go to add the beans, make sure to drain and rinse them before adding them to remove the extra sodium that may be in the coating of the beans. If using dried beans, pre-cook them before adding. When making this as a freezer meal, canned beans hold up better than cooked dried beans, which may get too soft when they are being reheated.
If you do not eat pork, you can try to replace bacon with turkey bacon, beef bacon, or even smoked sausage. If you are looking for a non-meat option, try smoked paprika or liquid moke to mimic the bacon’s rich, smokey flavor. Do not want the bacon, but still want a crispy topping, try roasted mushrooms or coconut bacon. These are great plant-based alternatives. Whatever substitution you use, the key is to add a slightly salty, rich ingredient to balance out the broth’s flavors.
Yes! You can use chicken broth instead of beef broth, but it will change the dish’s depth of flavor slightly. Beef broth usually gives a richer, robust taste, while chicken broth makes the dish a bit lighter. If you are using chicken broth, consider a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to give a more umami flavor. Both broths hold up well in the freezing process.
It is best to freeze the stew separately and add the fresh toppings after you have reheated. Ingredients like onions, cilantro, and avocado lose their texture and freshness when frozen. Instead, make sure to store the toppings in small airtight containers in the fridge and add them when serving.
To prevent freezer burn, let the Carne en Su Jugo cool completely before storing. Use freezer-safe bags or airtight containers, check out my favorite by clicking this link, removing as much air as possible to prevent the condensation and ice crystals from forming on your food. Lay your freezer bags flat for faster freezing and easier storage.
If you like this recipe here are some other Beef recipes you’re sure to love:
And if you have ANY QUESTIONS comment here, I’m happy to help.
