Carne con Papas Recipe (Cuban Beef & Potatoes Stew)
This Carne con Papas is a traditional Cuban beef and potato stew, slow-cooked in a rich, flavorful tomato-based sauce. It’s a comforting and hearty dish perfect for serving with rice or crusty bread.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs beef stew meat cubed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ green bell pepper chopped
- 1 can 8 oz tomato sauce
- ½ cup beef broth
- ½ cup dry white wine optional
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large potatoes peeled and cubed
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup green olives optional
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat
- Add beef cubes and brown on all sides, then remove and set aside
- In the same pot, sauté onions, garlic, and bell pepper until softened
- Stir in tomato sauce, beef broth, white wine, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper
- Return the beef to the pot, add the bay leaf, and bring to a simmer
- Cover and cook on low for about 1 ½ hours until the beef is tender
- Add potatoes and green olives, then cook for another 20-25 minutes until the potatoes are soft
- Remove the bay leaf and serve hot with rice
Notes
• For extra flavor, marinate the beef in garlic, lime juice, and salt before cooking
• Use Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamy texture
• This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen