Carne en su Jugo is a traditional Mexican dish that translates to 'meat in its juice.' This hearty and flavorful soup combines tender beef, crispy bacon, and savory pinto beans, all simmered together in a rich broth. It's a comforting meal perfect for any occasion, bringing the vibrant flavors of Mexico right to your table.
While most of the ingredients in this recipe are common, you might need to pay special attention to pinto beans and cilantro. Pinto beans are a staple in Mexican cuisine and can be found in the canned or dried beans section of your supermarket. Cilantro is a fresh herb that adds a burst of flavor and can usually be found in the produce section.

Ingredients For Carne En Su Jugo
Beef sirloin: Thinly sliced beef that becomes tender and flavorful when cooked.
Bacon: Adds a crispy texture and smoky flavor to the dish.
Water: Forms the base of the broth, allowing all the flavors to meld together.
Garlic: Minced to release its aromatic and savory qualities.
Pinto beans: Cooked beans that add heartiness and a creamy texture.
Cilantro: Chopped fresh herb that adds a bright, citrusy flavor.
Onion: Chopped to provide a sweet and savory depth to the broth.
Lime juice: Adds a tangy brightness that balances the richness of the dish.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the soup.
Pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth of flavor.
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 easier to chew. Additionally, when cooking the bacon, use a medium heat to render out the fat slowly, which will give you crispy pieces without burning. The rendered bacon fat can then be used to cook the beef, adding an extra layer of flavor 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 substitute for thinly sliced beef sirloin.
bacon - Substitute with pancetta: Pancetta is an Italian cured meat that has a similar flavor profile to bacon and can be used to add a rich, savory taste.
water - Substitute with beef broth: Beef broth adds more depth and flavor to the dish compared to plain water.
garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: If fresh garlic is not available, garlic powder can be used to impart a similar flavor, though it is less pungent.
pinto beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and can be used to provide a slightly different but still complementary flavor.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley can be used as a milder alternative to cilantro, especially for those who find cilantro's flavor too strong.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a more delicate and slightly sweeter flavor compared to onions, making them a good substitute.
lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice can provide a similar acidic brightness to the dish if lime juice is not available.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add both saltiness and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can be used to add a bit of heat and spice, though it should be used sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store or Freeze This Dish
Allow the carne en su jugo to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to sogginess and spoilage.
Transfer the carne en su jugo to an airtight container. Make sure the container is clean and dry to maintain the freshness of the dish.
Label the container with the date of preparation. This will help you keep track of how long the carne en su jugo has been stored.
Store the container in the refrigerator if you plan to consume the dish within 3-4 days. The cool temperature will help preserve the flavors and prevent bacterial growth.
For longer storage, place the carne en su jugo in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the freezer container with the date and contents. This will make it easier to identify and use the carne en su jugo when needed.
Freeze the carne en su jugo for up to 3 months. The dish will maintain its quality and flavor during this period.
When ready to eat, thaw the carne en su jugo in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps retain the texture and taste of the dish.
Reheat the carne en su jugo on the stovetop over medium heat. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating and to prevent sticking.
Add a splash of water or broth if the carne en su jugo appears too thick after reheating. This will help restore its original consistency.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary. The flavors may need a little boost after being stored.
Serve the reheated carne en su jugo hot, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro and crispy bacon for an extra burst of flavor.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place the leftover carne en su jugo in a saucepan or pot.
- Add a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beef is heated through and the broth is simmering.
- Garnish with the reserved crispy bacon 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.
- Microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Ensure the beef is heated evenly and the broth is hot.
- Top with the crispy bacon before serving.
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.
- Heat for 20-25 minutes, or until the beef is thoroughly warmed.
- Stir halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Garnish with the crispy bacon before serving.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Transfer the carne en su jugo to your slow cooker.
- Set to low heat and cover.
- Heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is hot and the broth is simmering.
- Serve with the crispy bacon on top.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Large pot: Used to cook the bacon, beef, and to simmer the entire dish.
Wooden spoon: Handy for stirring the ingredients as they cook.
Tongs: Useful for handling the bacon and beef slices while cooking.
Cutting board: Essential for chopping the bacon, cilantro, and onion.
Chef's knife: Ideal for slicing the beef sirloin and chopping other ingredients.
Measuring cups: Needed to measure the water, pinto beans, and lime juice.
Garlic press: Convenient for mincing the garlic cloves.
Serving bowl: For serving the finished dish.
Ladle: Useful for serving the hot soup into bowls.
Paper towels: To drain the crispy bacon after cooking.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Pre-cook the bacon: Cook the bacon ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This way, you can just add it at the end for a quick garnish.
Use pre-cooked beans: Opt for canned pinto beans to save the time it takes to cook them from scratch.
Thinly slice beef: Ask your butcher to thinly slice the beef sirloin for you. This will save you prep time and ensure even cooking.
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop the cilantro, onion, and garlic ahead of time and store them in airtight containers.
Quick boil method: Use a pressure cooker to reduce the simmering time for the beef and water mixture.

Carne en su Jugo
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Beef sirloin, thinly sliced
- 6 slices Bacon, chopped
- 4 cups Water
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Pinto beans, cooked
- 1 cup Cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup Onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoon Lime juice
- to taste Salt
- to taste 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 beef slices and cook until browned.
- 3. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- 4. Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
- 5. Add the cooked pinto beans, cilantro, onion, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Simmer for another 10 minutes.
- 6. Serve hot, garnished with the crispy bacon.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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