This delightful dish, Carne en su Jugo, is a flavorful and hearty Mexican-inspired recipe that combines the richness of textured vegetable protein with the comforting taste of pinto beans. It's a perfect meal for those looking to enjoy a plant-based version of a traditional favorite.
If you're not familiar with textured vegetable protein, it's a versatile and protein-rich meat substitute made from soy. You can find it in the health food section or the vegetarian aisle of most supermarkets. Make sure to soak it in hot water before using it in the recipe. Pinto beans are another key ingredient; you can use canned or cook them from scratch.

Ingredients For Carne En Su Jugo Recipe
Textured vegetable protein: A protein-rich meat substitute made from soy, perfect for adding a meaty texture to the dish.
Olive oil: Used for sautéing the onions and garlic, adding a rich flavor to the base of the dish.
Onion: Adds sweetness and depth to the dish when sautéed.
Garlic: Provides a robust and aromatic flavor to the recipe.
Vegetable broth: The liquid base that brings all the flavors together and makes the dish hearty.
Pinto beans: Adds a creamy texture and earthy flavor, making the dish more filling.
Cumin: A spice that adds a warm, earthy flavor to the dish.
Oregano: Adds a slightly bitter, aromatic flavor that complements the other spices.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the dish.
Black pepper: Adds a bit of heat and depth to the flavor profile.
Cilantro: A fresh herb used as a garnish, adding a burst of freshness to the dish.
Limes: Cut into wedges and served on the side, they add a tangy brightness when squeezed over the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of the textured vegetable protein, consider marinating it in a mixture of soy sauce, lime juice, and a touch of smoked paprika for about 30 minutes before cooking. This will infuse the tvp with a deeper, more complex taste that mimics the savory notes of traditional carne en su jugo.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
textured vegetable protein (tvp) - Substitute with mushrooms: Mushrooms provide a meaty texture and umami flavor that can mimic the texture and taste of TVP.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.
onion - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a milder, slightly sweet flavor that can complement the dish well.
garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a subtle garlic-like flavor with a hint of sweetness.
vegetable broth - Substitute with mushroom broth: Mushroom broth adds a rich, earthy flavor that enhances the depth of the dish.
pinto beans - Substitute with black beans: Black beans have a similar texture and nutritional profile, making them a suitable replacement.
cumin - Substitute with ground coriander: Ground coriander offers a warm, citrusy flavor that can complement the other spices in the dish.
oregano - Substitute with thyme: Thyme provides a slightly different but equally aromatic flavor that can enhance the dish.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty, umami flavor that can deepen the overall taste of the dish.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.
cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can be a good alternative for those who don't enjoy cilantro.
limes - Substitute with lemons: Lemons offer a similar acidic brightness that can enhance the flavors of the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
Allow the Carne en su Jugo to cool to room temperature before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can lead to soggy textured vegetable protein and pinto beans.
Transfer the Carne en su Jugo to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the soup without squishing the ingredients.
If you plan to consume the soup within 3-4 days, store it in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld together beautifully, making it even more delicious.
For longer storage, freeze the Carne en su Jugo. Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave some space at the top of the container or bag to allow the soup to expand as it freezes.
Label the containers with the date and contents. This will help you keep track of how long the soup has been stored and ensure you use it within a safe time frame.
When ready to enjoy, thaw the soup in the refrigerator overnight if frozen. Reheat it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally until it’s heated through. You can also use a microwave, heating in short intervals and stirring in between.
Freshen up the reheated Carne en su Jugo by adding a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of chopped cilantro just before serving. This will revive the bright, zesty flavors.
Avoid refreezing the soup once it has been thawed, as this can affect the texture and flavor of the ingredients.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Stovetop Method:
- Place the leftover Carne en su Jugo in a saucepan.
- Add a splash of vegetable broth or water to maintain moisture.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, about 10-15 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Microwave Method:
- Transfer the Carne en su Jugo to a microwave-safe container.
- 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.
- Let it sit for a minute before serving, then garnish with cilantro and lime wedges.
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the Carne en su Jugo in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
- Heat in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
Slow Cooker Method:
- Transfer the Carne en su Jugo to your slow cooker.
- Add a small amount of vegetable broth to keep it moist.
- Set the slow cooker to low and heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Once heated, garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Sous Vide Method:
- Place the Carne en su Jugo in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable plastic bag using the water displacement method.
- Set your sous vide machine to 165°F (74°C).
- Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 1 hour.
- Remove from the bag, garnish with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Pot: A large vessel used for cooking the main dish, where you will sauté the onions and garlic, and simmer the mixture.
Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ingredients to ensure they are well combined and do not stick to the bottom of the pot.
Knife: Essential for chopping the onion, garlic, and cilantro.
Cutting board: A surface to safely chop the vegetables and herbs.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the textured vegetable protein, vegetable broth, and pinto beans accurately.
Measuring spoons: Necessary for measuring the cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
Ladle: Handy for serving the hot soup into bowls.
Bowls: Used for serving the final dish, garnished with cilantro and lime wedges.
Citrus juicer: Optional but useful for squeezing lime wedges to add fresh juice to the dish.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-chop ingredients: Chop the onion, garlic, and cilantro in advance and store them in airtight containers.
Use pre-cooked beans: Opt for canned pinto beans to save time on cooking.
Quick soak tvp: Use hot water to soak the textured vegetable protein for faster rehydration.
Batch cook: Make a larger quantity of vegetable broth and freeze portions for future use.
One-pot cooking: Use a single pot to minimize cleanup time.
Prep garnishes: Cut the limes into wedges and store them in the fridge until needed.

Carne en su Jugo
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup Textured vegetable protein (TVP) soaked in hot water for 10 minutes
- 2 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 Onion chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic minced
- 4 cups Vegetable broth
- 2 cups Pinto beans cooked
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper or to taste
- 1 cup Cilantro chopped
- 2 Limes cut into wedges
Instructions
- 1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until translucent.
- 2. Add the soaked TVP to the pot and cook for about 5 minutes.
- 3. Pour in the vegetable broth, add the cooked pinto beans, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
- 4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes.
- 5. Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro and lime wedges on the side.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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