Carne en su Jugo is a traditional Mexican dish that translates to 'meat in its juice.' This hearty and flavorful recipe combines tender beef, crispy bacon, and pinto beans in a rich tomatillo and cilantro broth. It's a comforting meal that brings together a variety of textures and flavors, perfect for a satisfying dinner.
Some ingredients in this recipe might not be commonly found in every household. Tomatillos are small, green fruits with a husk, often used in Mexican cuisine for their tangy flavor. Jalapeños add a spicy kick, and Cilantro provides a fresh, herbal note. Make sure to check your local supermarket for these items if they are not already in your pantry.
Ingredients For Carne En Su Jugo Recipe
Beef sirloin: Thinly sliced for quick cooking and tenderness.
Bacon: Adds a smoky, crispy element to the dish.
Pinto beans: Cooked beans that add heartiness and texture.
Tomatillos: Provide a tangy base for the broth.
Garlic: Minced for aromatic depth.
Jalapeño: Chopped for a spicy kick.
Cilantro: Chopped for fresh, herbal flavor.
Beef broth: Forms the rich, savory base of the soup.
Salt and pepper: To taste, for seasoning.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When blending the tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro, make sure to blend until the mixture is completely smooth to ensure a consistent texture in the final dish. This will help the flavors meld together more seamlessly and create a more cohesive sauce for the beef.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
beef sirloin - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is a lean protein that can absorb the flavors of the dish well, making it a suitable substitute for beef sirloin.
bacon - Substitute with turkey bacon: Turkey bacon provides a similar smoky flavor with less fat, making it a healthier alternative.
pinto beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and nutritional profile, making them a good substitute for pinto beans.
tomatillos - Substitute with green tomatoes: Green tomatoes can provide a similar tartness and texture to tomatillos.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder flavor but can still provide the aromatic quality that garlic brings to the dish.
jalapeño - Substitute with serrano pepper: Serrano peppers have a similar heat level and flavor profile, making them a good substitute for jalapeños.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can provide a fresh, herbaceous flavor similar to cilantro, though it lacks the citrusy notes.
beef broth - Substitute with chicken broth: Chicken broth can provide a similar depth of flavor and is a versatile substitute for beef broth.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a similar level of saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper can provide a similar heat and flavor profile, though it is slightly milder.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the carne en su jugo to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation and keeps the dish fresh.
Transfer the carne en su jugo to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the beef, broth, and vegetables without spilling.
For short-term storage, place the container in the refrigerator. The carne en su jugo will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
For long-term storage, consider freezing the carne en su jugo. Use a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bags. If using bags, lay them flat to save space and ensure even freezing.
Label the container or bag with the date to keep track of its freshness. Frozen carne en su jugo can be stored for up to 3 months.
When ready to reheat, thaw the carne en su jugo in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture and flavor.
Reheat the carne en su jugo on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a splash of beef broth if the mixture appears too thick.
Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave. Place the carne en su jugo in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving to revive the flavors and add a touch of freshness.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place the leftover carne en su jugo in a saucepan.
- Add a splash of beef broth to maintain moisture.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
- Ensure the beef and pinto beans are heated evenly.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the carne en su jugo to a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent.
- Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Check the temperature and heat in additional 30-second intervals if needed.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the carne en su jugo in an oven-safe dish.
- Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated, stirring halfway through.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Transfer the carne en su jugo to the slow cooker.
- Set to low heat and cover.
- Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef and pinto beans are hot.
Sous Vide Method:
- Place the carne en su jugo in a vacuum-sealed bag.
- Set your sous vide machine to 140°F (60°C).
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 45 minutes.
- Carefully remove the bag, open, and serve hot.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used for cooking the bacon and beef, as well as simmering the entire dish.
Tongs: Handy for flipping and removing the bacon and beef from the pot.
Blender: Essential for blending the tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro into a smooth mixture.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for chopping the bacon, tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro.
Chef's knife: Necessary for chopping the ingredients finely and precisely.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the pinto beans and beef broth accurately.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients in the pot to ensure even cooking.
Ladle: Useful for serving the hot dish into bowls.
Serving bowls: Needed for presenting the finished dish.
Spatula: Helps in scraping down the sides of the blender to ensure all ingredients are well-blended.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the bacon, beef, tomatillos, garlic, and jalapeño in advance to streamline cooking.
Use a food processor: Blend the tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro quickly with a food processor instead of chopping by hand.
Cook beans in bulk: Prepare a large batch of pinto beans and freeze portions for future recipes.
One-pot cooking: Use the same pot for cooking bacon, beef, and simmering the broth to minimize cleanup.
Quick garnish: Pre-chop extra cilantro and store it in the fridge for easy garnishing.

Carne en su Jugo
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Bacon, chopped
- 1 cup Pinto beans, cooked
- 4 Tomatillos, husked and chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Jalapeño, chopped
- 1 cup Cilantro, chopped
- 4 cups Beef broth
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. Cook the bacon in a large pot until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- 2. In the same pot, add the beef and cook until browned.
- 3. Blend the tomatillos, garlic, jalapeño, and cilantro until smooth.
- 4. Pour the blended mixture into the pot with the beef. Add the beef broth and bring to a boil.
- 5. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the cooked pinto beans and bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- 6. Serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro if desired.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts for This Recipe
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