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Chile Colorado

Chile Colorado

Chile Colorado is a popular Mexican stew made with tender beef simmered in a flavorful red chile sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 318 kcal

Equipment

  • Blender
  • Skillet
  • saucepan

Ingredients
  

Chiles

  • 4 pieces dried ancho chiles or pasilla or mulato
  • 5 pieces dried guajillo chiles or New Mexican chiles
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 0.5 pieces jalapeno minced (optional, for more heat)
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1.5 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 2.5 lbs stew meat or cubed beef shoulder/butt roast
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 piece bay leaf
  • 1 small lime juice from
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water for slurry

For serving (optional)

  • tortillas corn or flour
  • chopped fresh cilantro for garnish
  • sliced radishes
  • Mexican rice

Instructions
 

Cooking Instructions

  • Remove meat from fridge and cut into ½ inch cubes. Set aside.
  • Remove the stems (and seeds if you want, for milder heat) from the dried chiles while rinsing them under cold water. Place chiles in a saucepan and cover with broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the meat. Season on all sides with salt and pepper and sprinkle with flour. Add oil to a skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, add meat and cook until browned on both sides. Depending on the size of your pan you will need to do this in a few batches to keep from overcrowding.
  • Remove meat to a plate and set aside. Add onion and jalapeno to the pan and saute for several minutes.
  • As the onions cook, pour the softened peppers and the broth into a blender. Add the sautéed onion and jalapeno and blend until smooth. Set aside.
  • Return browned beef (and accumulated juices) back to the pot. Strain the chili sauce from the blender through a fine mesh strainer, into the pot. Add oregano, cumin, paprika, garlic powder and stir well. Add bay leaf.
  • Bring to a slow boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about an hour, or until the meat is very tender.
  • Uncover and stir in lime juice and cornstarch slurry. Cook for a few more minutes, until the sauce has slightly thickened.
  • Serve as a stew with tortillas for dipping and a side of Mexican rice and beans.

Notes

Without the jalapeño, Chile Colorado is medium spicy. For a vegetarian option, omit the beef and add Yukon gold potatoes and other desired veggies. This dish can also be made in an Instant Pot or Slow Cooker.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 35gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 529mgPotassium: 998mgFiber: 7gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 5356IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 5mg
Keyword beef stew, Chile Colorado, Comfort Food, Mexican stew, red chile sauce, slow-cooked beef
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