A Quick and Flavorful Dish for Busy Evenings
When time is short and you need a hearty meal, a quick ground beef recipe can be a lifesaver. One such recipe that's sure to please is an adaptation of the traditional Mexican dish, carne en su jugo. Traditionally made with pieces of steak, this version uses ground beef for a faster, yet equally delicious, result. The best part? You can have it on the table with just 20 minutes of active cooking.
To start, you'll need a few key ingredients, including salsa verde and whole beans, which can be conveniently sourced from La Costeña. Begin by frying some chopped bacon, which adds a rich, smoky flavor to the dish. After setting the cooked bacon aside, fry onions and jalapeños in the remaining fat, followed by browning the ground beef with garlic, cumin, and salt. Once the beef is cooked, mix in the beans, salsa verde, green onions, cilantro, bacon, and jalapeños, along with some water. This combination cooks together, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
The result is a flavorful dish that sits somewhere between a stew and a soup. Serve it with fresh toppings like cilantro, radishes, and avocado, and don't forget the tortillas and a squeeze of lime for an extra burst of flavor. This dish not only embodies the vibrant tastes of Mexican cuisine but also offers the comfort of a home-cooked meal with minimal effort. So, next time you're pressed for time but craving something delicious, give this carne en su jugo a try, and don't forget to share your thoughts on this delightful recipe.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
8 pieces of chopped bacon (can use 10 if you love bacon or even 2 if on a budget)
3 jalapeños, chopped (optional, for spice)
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 can (29 ounces) whole beans (recommend La Costeña brand)
1 jar (16 ounces) salsa verde (recommend La Costeña brand)
3 green onions, chopped
A small bunch of cilantro, chopped
16 ounces of water
Optional Toppings: fresh onions, chopped, cilantro, chopped, red radish, sliced, avocado slices, tortillas and lime wedges.
Instructions:
Place your pan on medium heat and allow it to warm up for about a minute.
Add 8 pieces of chopped bacon to the pan. If you love bacon, you can add up to 10 pieces. If you're on a budget, even 2 pieces of bacon will enhance the flavor. Cook the bacon for 8-10 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the bacon and set it aside, but try not to eat it all as you’ll need it for the recipe.
In the same pan with the bacon fat, add the chopped onions and jalapeños (if using). Fry them until they are nicely cooked, about 3-4 minutes. If there is too much bacon fat, you can remove some to avoid excess fat.
Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pan. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper. Cook the ground beef for about 3 minutes until fully cooked.
Add the can of whole beans, 16 ounces of salsa verde, the green parts of the chopped green onions, a small bunch of chopped cilantro, the cooked bacon, fried onions, and jalapeños to the ground beef mixture. Add 16 ounces of water to the mixture. Mix all the ingredients well to combine.
Continue to cook the mixture on medium heat for another 10 minutes, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
Pour the mixture into bowls. Don't skip out on the broth; it's an important part of the dish. Add your favorite toppings such as fresh onions, chopped cilantro, sliced red radish, avocado slices, and some more crispy bacon if you saved any. Serve with tortillas and lime wedges on the side. Buen Provecho!
Tips
-You can use precooked bacon to save about 10 minutes of cooking time.
-This dish has a tart flavor; if you need a bit more tartness, add a squeeze of lime.
-Adjust salt, pepper and cumin to taste. Chicken bullion can be used in place of salt and added flavor.
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