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 savory pinto beans in a rich tomatillo broth. It's perfect for a comforting meal that brings a taste of Mexico to your table.
If you're not familiar with tomatillos, they are small green fruits with a husk, often used in Mexican cuisine for their tangy flavor. You might also need to look for pinto beans, which are commonly used in Mexican dishes but might not be a pantry staple for everyone. Make sure to get fresh cilantro to add a burst of freshness to the dish.

Ingredients for Carne en su Jugo Recipe
Beef sirloin: Thinly sliced to ensure quick cooking and tenderness.
Bacon: Adds a smoky, crispy element to the dish.
Water: Used to create the broth for the stew.
Pinto beans: Provides a hearty texture and earthy flavor.
Tomatillos: Blended to create a tangy base for the broth.
Garlic: Minced to add depth and aroma.
Cilantro: Chopped and added at the end for freshness.
Onion: Chopped and sautéed to add sweetness and flavor.
Salt and pepper: Used to season the dish to taste.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When slicing the beef sirloin, make sure to cut it against the grain. This will help ensure that the meat remains tender and easy to chew. Additionally, when blending the tomatillos, you can add a small amount of water to achieve a smoother consistency. For an extra layer of flavor, consider roasting the garlic and onion before adding them to the pot. This will bring out their natural sweetness and add depth to the dish.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
beef sirloin - Substitute with chuck roast: Chuck roast is a more affordable cut that becomes tender when cooked slowly, making it a good alternative for thinly sliced beef sirloin.
bacon - Substitute with pancetta: Pancetta provides a similar salty and fatty flavor profile, making it a suitable replacement for bacon.
water - Substitute with beef broth: Beef broth adds more depth and richness to the dish compared to plain water.
pinto beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and flavor, making them a good alternative to pinto beans.
tomatillos - Substitute with green tomatoes: Green tomatoes can mimic the tartness and acidity of tomatillos, though the flavor will be slightly different.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dish well in place of garlic.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can provide a fresh, herbaceous note similar to cilantro, though it lacks the distinct citrusy flavor.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder, slightly sweeter flavor that can work well as a substitute for onions.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a savory, umami flavor while also providing the necessary saltiness.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat and spice, offering a different but complementary flavor profile.
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 prevents condensation, which can lead to soggy textures and spoilage.
- Transfer the beef sirloin mixture into airtight containers. Make sure to leave some space at the top to allow for expansion if freezing.
- For short-term storage, place the containers in the refrigerator. The carne en su jugo will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, place the containers in the freezer. The carne en su jugo can be frozen for up to 3 months without losing its flavor and texture.
- When ready to reheat, thaw the frozen carne en su jugo in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the quality of the dish.
- Reheat the carne en su jugo in a pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally to ensure even heating. Add a splash of water or broth if the mixture appears too thick.
- For a quick reheat, you can also use a microwave. Place the carne en su jugo in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat on medium power, stirring occasionally.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice just before serving to refresh the flavors.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place the leftover carne en su jugo in a saucepan or pot.
- Add a splash of water or beef broth to keep it moist.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef is heated through and the soup is simmering.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the carne en su jugo to a microwave-safe bowl.
- Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- Heat on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- 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 the dish with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
- Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the beef is heated through.
- Stir halfway through the heating process to ensure even warming.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Transfer the carne en su jugo to your slow cooker.
- Set the slow cooker to low heat.
- Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is thoroughly warmed.
- This method is ideal for maintaining the flavors and texture of the dish.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to cook the bacon, beef, and simmer the entire dish.
Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the ingredients without scratching the pot.
Tongs: Useful for handling the bacon and beef slices while cooking.
Blender: Needed to blend the tomatillos into a smooth consistency.
Knife: Essential for chopping the bacon, onion, and cilantro, as well as slicing the beef.
Cutting board: Provides a safe surface for chopping and slicing ingredients.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the water, pinto beans, and other ingredients accurately.
Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic quickly and efficiently.
Ladle: Perfect for serving the finished dish into bowls.
Serving bowls: Used to serve the final dish to your guests or family.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the bacon, beef, garlic, onion, and cilantro in advance to streamline cooking.
Use canned beans: Opt for canned pinto beans to save time on cooking and soaking.
Blender efficiency: Blend the tomatillos while the bacon is cooking to multitask effectively.
One-pot cooking: Use the same pot for bacon, beef, and sauce to minimize cleanup.
Quick simmer: Simmer the sauce covered to reduce cooking time and retain flavors.

Carne en su Jugo Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 4 slices Bacon, chopped
- 2 cups Water
- 1 cup Pinto beans, cooked
- 1 cup Tomatillos, blended
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup Cilantro, chopped
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- to taste Salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a large pot, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- 2. In the same pot, add the thinly sliced beef and cook until browned.
- 3. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion to the pot and cook until softened.
- 4. Pour in the blended tomatillos and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
- 5. Add the cooked pinto beans and crispy bacon to the pot. Stir to combine.
- 6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the chopped cilantro just before serving.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Appetizers and Desserts
More Amazing Recipes to Try 🙂
- Black Bean Veggie Burgers Recipe25 Minutes
- Honey Glazed Chicken Recipe30 Minutes
- Tuna Casserole Recipe45 Minutes
- Cheesy Zucchini Casserole Recipe45 Minutes
- Mexican Corn on the Cob Recipe25 Minutes
- Banh Mi Recipe30 Minutes
- Seafood Chowder Recipe45 Minutes
- Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe20 Minutes
Leave a Reply