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carne desmechada

Carne Desmechada Recipe

This mouthwatering dish features slowly cooked and shredded beef combined with a variety of spices and ingredients, resulting in a tender and juicy meal that is perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.
In this recipe, you'll discover how to prepare carne desmechada using flank steak, which is the recommended cut of beef for this dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4
Equipment
  • 1 large pot
  • 1 Pressure cooker
  • 1 Large skillet
Ingredients
  
  • 2 lbs flank steak
  • 4-6 cups water
  • 1 medium onion quartered
  • 6 green onions coarsely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic smashed
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • Olive oil for sautéing
  • 4 small tomatoes finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • Beef broth or cooking liquid from beef
  • 1-2 cups tomato sauce Optional
Instructions
 
  • In a large pot or pressure cooker, place the flank steak, water, quartered onion, green onions, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
    If using a pressure cooker, cook for 1-2 hours until the meat is tender; if using a slow cooker, cook for 3-4 hours until tender.
    Regular pots can be used as well, cooking for approximately 2½-3 hours over medium heat until the meat is cooked through and easily shredded.
  • Once beef is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly.
    Then, shred the meat using two forks or your hands.
    Discard the cooking vegetables and bay leaves.
    Reserve about 1 cup of the beef cooking broth for later use
  • In a large skillet or saucepan, heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat.
    Add the finely chopped tomatoes, minced garlic, and additional chopped onions.
    Cook for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the ingredients are softened.
  • Add the shredded beef to the skillet with the hogao sauce.
    Stir in the reserved 1 cup of beef cooking broth, and optionally, 1-2 cups of tomato sauce for a richer flavor.
    Cook the mixture for an additional 10-15 minutes over medium heat, allowing the flavors to meld and the dish to thicken
  • If necessary, add more salt and pepper to taste.
    Cook for 2-3 more minutes, then remove the skillet from heat.
    Your Carne Desmechada is now ready to be served!
    Enjoy it with rice, beans, or as a filling for arepas and other dishes.
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