Authentic Cuban Carne con Papas Recipe (Beef Stew)

Name: Authentic Cuban Carne con Papas Recipe (Beef Stew)
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Dinner
Ingredients: 1.1kg beef chuck roast, trimmed & cut into 1-inch cubes; 30ml extra virgin olive oil; 1 large yellow onion, diced & 1 green bell pepper, diced; 5 cloves garlic, minced; 120ml dry white wine (Vino Seco or Pinot Grigio); 240ml tomato sauce & 1.5 cups beef bone broth; 680g Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled & cut into 1-inch chunks; 75g Spanish pimiento-stuffed manzanilla olives, sliced; 1 tsp ground cumin & 1 tsp dried oregano & 1 packet Sazón seasoning & 2 bay leaves

Jump to Recipe Step-by-Step

Humble pantry staples can create an extraordinary Authentic Cuban Carne con Papas Recipe (Beef Stew) when treated with proper heat and technique. This recipe celebrates beef chuck roast, trimmed & cut into 1-inch cubes, yellow onion, & 1 green bell pepper, and garlic, in under 1 hr 05 min, providing a reliable, flavor-packed dish you will want to make again and again.

Ingredients

6 servings

2.5 lbs (1.1kg) beef chuck roast, trimmed & cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tbsp (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, diced & 1 green bell pepper, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup (120ml) dry white wine (Vino Seco or Pinot Grigio)
1 cup (240ml) tomato sauce & 1.5 cups beef bone broth
1.5 lbs (680g) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled & cut into 1-inch chunks
½ cup (75g) Spanish pimiento-stuffed manzanilla olives, sliced
1 tsp ground cumin & 1 tsp dried oregano & 1 packet Sazón seasoning & 2 bay leaves

Step-by-Step Instructions

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season beef cubes with salt and pepper. **Sear beef in 2 batches for 4 minutes per side until golden brown**. Transfer seared beef to a plate.

In same pot, **sauté diced onion, green bell pepper, and garlic for 3 minutes**. Pour in dry white wine, scraping up browned bits on bottom of pot; simmer 2 minutes.

Return seared beef to pot. **Stir in tomato sauce, beef broth, sliced Spanish olives, cumin, oregano, Sazón, and bay leaves**. Cover lid, lower heat to medium-low, and simmer 20 minutes.

Add potato chunks to pot. **Cover and simmer 25 minutes more** until beef and potatoes are fork-tender and gravy thickens. Discard bay leaves and serve hot over white rice!

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Chef Amara’s Kitchen Secrets & Pro Tips

Chef's Secret Deep Sear Rule: Sear beef cubes in two batches over high heat so meat browns deeply without steaming.
Include Spanish Olives: Pimiento-stuffed manzanilla olives add essential tangy Cuban flavor.
Simmer Potatoes Directly in Stew: Potatoes release natural starches, thickening tomato wine broth into a spoonable gravy.

1. Let the Meat Rest Before Slicing: Transfer cooked meat to a cutting board for 5–10 minutes before carving. Resting allows tight muscle fibers to relax and redistribute savory juices evenly throughout the cut. 2. Protect Minced Garlic from Burning: Garlic cooks and turns fragrant in just 30 to 45 seconds. Add it toward the end of sautéing onions or aromatics so it perfumes the dish without acquiring a bitter edge. 3. Chef's Kitchen Secret: Chef's Secret Deep Sear Rule: Sear beef cubes in two batches over high heat so meat browns deeply without steaming.

Chef’s Cooking Guide & FAQs

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Troubleshooting & Quick Fixes

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What if the Sauce for Authentic Cuban Carne con Papas Recipe (Beef Stew) Separates or Feels Greasy?: If a dairy or emulsion sauce breaks, immediately take the pan off direct heat. Vigorously whisk in a tablespoon of hot water, broth, or cream until the velvety sheen re-emulsifies.
How to Rescue a Dish That Tastes Overly Salty?: Dilute with additional unsalted liquid (broth, cream, or water), or splash in a small touch of acid like fresh lemon juice or vinegar to soften sharp salinity.

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Storage, Freezing & Reheating Guidelines

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Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven or covered skillet over medium-low heat until steaming hot throughout.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time? A: Yes, this dish can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance, kept covered in the refrigerator, and baked or cooked when ready to serve.

Q: Can I substitute common pantry ingredients? A: Yes, this recipe is forgiving. Check our substitution notes in the ingredient card for dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan alternatives.

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Kitchen Notes & Discussion

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Nutrition Facts

Per serving (1 of 6)

420 Calories

24g Carbs 9% DV

38g Protein 76% DV

18g Fat 23% DV

3g Fiber 11% DV

680mg Sodium 30% DV

Carbs 23% Protein 37% Fat 40%

*Percent Daily Values (% DV) are based on a 2,000-calorie reference diet (USDA FoodData Central).

Quick Info

Cuisine Dinner
Dietary Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, High-Protein 38g, Authentic Abuela Cuban Classic
Total Time 1 hr 05 min
Yield 6 servings

Chef Amara

Passionate home cook & certified chef behind YumAroma. Every recipe is tested 3+ times for perfection.

View Full Culinary Bio →

Authentic Cuban Carne con Papas Recipe (Beef Stew)

Ingredients

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sear Beef Chuck Cubes in Batches (8 Min)

Sauté Cuban Sofrito & Deglaze with Wine (5 Min)

Simmer Beef in Tomato Broth (20 Min)