This Chile Colorado is a soul-warming Mexican classic that transforms tender chunks of beef into something extraordinary through slow simmering in a deeply flavorful brick-red sauce. Made with dried guajillo and ancho chiles that are toasted, rehydrated, and blended into a smoky, complex sauce, this dish delivers authentic flavors that develop into pure comfort with each hour of cooking. The beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender while absorbing all those rich, earthy chile flavors.
If you love bold, traditional Mexican flavors, you’ll also enjoy our Crockpot Birria Tacos for another slow-cooked beef dish with deep, complex flavors. For more hearty, warming comfort foods, try our Chilaquiles Breakfast Casserole or Creamy Shrimp Enchiladas—both deliver that same satisfying, authentic experience with different flavor profiles.
Chile Colorado
Chile Colorado is a rich, deeply flavored Mexican stew made with tender beef and a bold, smoky red chile sauce.
6
servings20
minutes2
hours30
minutes350
kcal2
hours50
minutesIngredients
2.5 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
5 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
5 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
4 cups beef broth
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 large onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablepoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons flour
0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Directions
- Begin by heating 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes in batches, making sure not to crowd the pot. Remove and set aside once uniformly browned.
- In a small pan, toast the guajillo and ancho chiles over medium heat for about 2 minutes until fragrant being careful not to burn them.
- Place the toasted chiles in a bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for about 20 minutes until they become tender.
- After soaking, drain the chiles and place them in a blender along with 2 cups of beef broth, tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and apple cider vinegar. Blend until you achieve a smooth consistency.
- In the same pot used to brown the beef, add the remaining oil and the flour. Stir constantly to create a roux, which will take around 2 minutes.
- Add the blended sauce to the roux and stir well to combine. Return the beef to the pot along with any juices that may have accumulated on the plate.
- Pour in the remaining beef broth, bring the mixture to a simmer, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pot, lower heat, and allow it to cook for about 2 hours until the beef is tender.
- After cooking, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Stir in the chopped cilantro before serving and serve hot with rice or warm tortillas.
Nutrition Facts
- Total number of serves: 4
- Calories: 250kcal
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 620mg
- Potassium: 400mg
- Sugar: 8g
- Protein: 6g
- Calcium: 60mg
- Iron: 2mg
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For more slow-cooked comfort, our Oven Roasted Brisket and Korean BBQ Pork deliver tender, flavorful meats that are perfect for special occasions. When you’re craving bold, spicy dishes, the Crispy Poblano Chicken Tacos and Hot Honey Margarita bring heat and excitement to your dinner table. Need more authentic comfort classics? Our Italian Beef Sandwich and Hamburger Steak in Creamy Dill Sauce offer that same hearty, satisfying experience you’ll love.
Browse our full collection for more kitchen inspiration that’ll have your family asking for seconds.
