Skip to main content

Shredded Beef in Guajillo Sauce (Carne Deshebrada en Salsa Roja )

This authentic Mexican shredded beef, known as carne deshebrada, is a rich and deeply satisfying high-protein dish. The recipe uses tender skirt steak, slow-cooked until it easily pulls apart, then smothered in a vibrant, smoky sauce made from toasted guajillo chillies and charred tomatoes. The combination of earthy spices and mild chilli heat creates a complex flavour profile that is traditionally Mexican yet perfectly balanced for the British palate.

Ideal for a weekend family dinner or a nutritious meal-prep option, this versatile beef can be served alongside fluffy white rice or tucked into warm corn tortillas. To complete the meal, serve with plenty of fresh lime wedges, chopped white onion, and savoury black beans. It is a wholesome, homemade alternative to takeaway options that brings the bold, aromatic flavours of Mexico directly to your kitchen.

Poursuivre la lecture ci-dessous

Ingredients for Shredded Beef in Guajillo Sauce (Carne Deshebrada en Salsa Roja )

  • 1.4kg skirt steak

  • 1 white onion, quartered

  • 3 garlic cloves

  • 2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California

  • 1/4 teaspoons black peppercorns

  • 3 whole allspice

  • 1 whole clove

  • 350g tomatoes (2 to 3 medium), quartered

  • 45ml vegetable oil, divided

  • 90g dried guajillo chillies, wiped clean

  • 1/4 teaspoons black peppercorns

  • 1/4 teaspoons cumin seeds

  • 3 whole allspice

  • 1 whole clove

  • 80g chopped white onion

  • 3 large garlic cloves

  • 3 to 5 dried chillies de árbol, wiped clean, stemmed, and seeded, or 1/2 teaspoons hot red-pepper flakes

  • Equipment: an electric coffee/spice grinder

  • Accompaniments: hot corn tortillas or rice

  • cooked black beans (rinsed and drained if canned)

  • chopped white onion

  • lime wedges

How to make Shredded Beef in Guajillo Sauce (Carne Deshebrada en Salsa Roja )

Put all beef ingredients in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot with 1 teaspoon salt and enough water (about 1.9L ) to cover beef. Simmer, partially covered, skimming foam and adding more hot water if necessary to keep beef covered, until tender, about 2 hours.

Remove beef and shred (once cool).

Strain broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, discarding solids, and skim off fat.

Preheat grill.

Toss tomatoes with 1 tablespoon oil in a 4-sided sheet pan. Grill 3 to 4 inches from heat until softened and charred, 10 to 12 minutes.

Slit guajillo chillies lengthwise, then stem and seed. Heat a dry heavy medium skillet (not nonstick) over medium heat until hot, then toast chillies in 2 batches, opened flat, turning and pressing with tongs, until more pliable and slightly changed in colour, about 30 seconds per batch. Transfer to a bowl and soak in hot water to cover until softened, 20 to 30 minutes.

Toast peppercorns, cumin seeds, allspice, and clove in hot skillet over medium heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and a shade darker, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer to a blender.

Drain soaked chillies and purée in blender with toasted spices, grilled tomatoes, onion, garlic, 3 chillies de árbol, 475ml broth, and 1 teaspoon salt until smooth, about 2 minutes. For a spicier sauce, add remaining 2 chillies de árbol and purée again.

Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in cleaned pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then slowly add sauce, stirring (it will spatter), and simmer, stirring frequently, 5 minutes. Add beef and 240ml broth (reserve remainder for another use) and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until meat is heated through, about 5 minutes.

Clause de non-responsabilité

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Historique de l'article

Les informations contenues dans cette page ont été évaluées par des cliniciens qualifiés.

  • 16 janvier 2026 | Publié à l'origine

    Auteur: :

    UK recipe editors

    Examiné par des pairs

    UK recipe editors
Vérification de l'éligibilité à la grippe

Demandez, partagez, connectez-vous.

Parcourez les discussions, posez des questions et partagez vos expériences sur des centaines de sujets liés à la santé.

vérificateur de symptômes

Vous ne vous sentez pas bien ?

Évaluez gratuitement vos symptômes en ligne

Inscrivez-vous à la newsletter destinée aux patients

Votre dose hebdomadaire de conseils santé clairs et fiables, rédigés pour vous aider à vous sentir informé, confiant et maître de la situation.

Veuillez saisir une adresse e-mail valide.

En vous abonnant, vous acceptez notre politique de confidentialité. Vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment. Nous ne vendons jamais vos données.