Learning to make Cuban Carne Con Papa from my father, who was a chef in Cuba, taught me that the best comfort food comes from simple ingredients cooked with care and tradition. This authentic carne con papa recipe is the same hearty Cuban beef and potato stew my father made for our family every week – tender beef chuck simmered with russet potatoes, olives, capers, and bell peppers in a rich tomato-based sauce that's pure Cuban soul food.
For nearly forty years, this foolproof family recipe has been my go-to for weeknight dinners, and this Instant Pot version makes it even easier to bring authentic Cuban flavors to your table in just one hour. Cuban carne guisada (beef stew) is quintessential comfort food that's perfect for meal prep, feeding a large family, or serving alongside fluffy white rice for a complete traditional Cuban meal that'll warm you from the inside out.
Why you'll love this carne guisada
- Tender, flavorful beef: The beef cooks until perfectly tender while soaking up all the savory flavors of the Cuban-style tomato sauce.
- Hearty and comforting: With chunks of beef, potatoes, and a rich sauce, this Cuban carne con papa is the ultimate comfort food.
- Packed with Cuban flavor: Garlic, onions, peppers, tomato, spices, and olives come together to create the bold, savory flavors that make this classic dish so satisfying.
- Perfect for a family dinner: Ready in minutes thanks to the Instant Pot. This carne con papa is filling, comforting, and easy to serve with white rice for a complete meal the whole family can enjoy.
- Great for leftovers: The flavors continue to develop as the stew sits, making leftovers just as delicious for an easy lunch or dinner the next day.
Key ingredients for Cuban beef and potatoe stew
For the full list of ingredients and quantities, scroll down to the recipe card.
- Beef: The star of Cuban carne con papa, the beef becomes tender and flavorful as it cooks in the savory tomato-based sauce.
- Russet potatoes: These hearty potatoes soak up all the delicious flavors of the stew while helping make the dish filling and comforting.
- Tomato sauce: Creates the rich, savory base of the sauce and gives carne con papa its signature color and flavor.
- Sofrito: A flavorful combination of aromatics like onion, bell pepper, and garlic builds the foundation of this classic Cuban dish.
- Green olives: Add a salty, briny bite that complements the rich beef, potatoes, and tomato-based sauce.
How to Make Carne con Papas
- Start by setting your Instant Pot to saute and add to it the oil, bell peppers, onions, bay leaf and garlic. Sauté until translucent, about 10 minutes
2. Add to the Instant Pot the beef and sauté until lightly browned.
3. Add the tomato sauce, cooking wine, water, olives, capers, salt, black pepper and cumin. Stir gently and cover the Instant Pot. Set to meat stew at low pressure for 30 minutes.
4. Release the steam and open the Instant Pot. Add the potatoes and set to Sauté. Continue to cook while occasionally stirring until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
5. Serve immediately.
Cuban Carne con Papas Recipe Variations & Substitutions
- Instead of water: You can use beef broth for an even richer, more savory flavor.
- Don’t have vegetable oil? Substitute it with olive oil or corn oil for sautéing the beef and aromatics.
- Don’t have an Instant Pot? No problem! You can prepare your Cuban carne con papa in a traditional pressure cooker or cook it low and slow in a Dutch oven until the beef is tender.
- Don’t have russet potatoes?Red potatoes make a great substitute. They also hold their shape well during cooking.
- Don’t eat beef? Swap the beef for bone-in chicken and turn this dish into another Cuban favorite, fricasé de pollo. Keep in mind that chicken requires different cooking times than beef.
- Want to add more vegetables? Add carrots or peas to make the stew even heartier.
- Adjust the olives: Add extra green olives if you enjoy their salty, briny flavor, or reduce the amount to suit your taste. You can also swap the olives for capers
- Make it spicy: Cuban carne con papa is typically more savory than spicy, but you can add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce if you prefer some heat.
- Adjust the consistency: For a thicker sauce, let the carne con papa simmer uncovered for a few minutes. For a thinner stew, add a splash of water or beef broth until it reaches your preferred consistency.
What to serve with carne con papa
This dish is typically served with arroz blanco, also known as white rice.
Storage for this cuban beef stew
Allow your Cuban carne con papa to cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until the beef and potatoes are steaming hot throughout. If the sauce thickens in the refrigerator, add a small splash of water or broth while reheating.
For longer storage, you can freeze carne con papa for up to 2–3 months in a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that the potatoes may become slightly softer after freezing and reheating. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for the best texture.
Check out these other Cuban Recipes
Cuban Carne Con Papa
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of beef for stew
- ¼ cup of vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1 packet of sazon con achiote
- ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup of red cooking wine
- 1 cup of water
- 2 pounds of peeled and chopped russet potatoes
- ¼ cup of pimento stuffed olives
Instructions
- Start by setting your Instant Pot to saute and add to it the oil, bell peppers, onions, bay leaf and garlic. Sauté until translucent, about 10 minutes
- Add to the Instant Pot the beef and saute until lightly browned.
- Add the tomato sauce, cooking wine, water, olives, salt, black pepper, sazon and cumin. Stir gently and cover the Instant Pot. Set to meat stew at low pressure for 30 minutes.
- Release the steam and open the Instant Pot. Add the potatoes and set to Sauté. Continue to cook while occasionally stirring until the potatoes are fork tender, about 20 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
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