The BEST Authentic Chile Colorado Recipe

dried red chiles

🥗Healthier: fresh red bell peppers

💰Cheaper: canned tomato sauce

Fresh bell peppers can provide a similar sweetness and color, while canned tomato sauce is often less expensive.

beef

🥗Healthier: lean turkey

💰Cheaper: pork

Lean turkey offers a lower-fat option, while pork can be a more budget-friendly meat choice.

Prepare dried chiles by slicing stems off and removing seeds from the inside.

Heat the chiles in a small saucepan over medium heat, toast both sides for several minutes. Remove and set aside.

Add the tomato, onion and garlic to the pot, allow these to roast for 2-3 minutes. Add the chiles back into the pot.

Pour 2 cups of broth over the top of the chiles and bring this to a boil. Cover and remove from the heat, let this sit for 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the meat, by slicing into 2 inch chunks if needed.

Pour oil into the dutch oven, enough to coat the bottom of the pot and heat over medium heat.

Place several pieces of beef into the pot (be careful not to crowd the pan) and sprinkle with a pinch of the salt, allow to sear for 1-2 minutes, then turn using tongs and continue this process until all sides of the beef are seared. Remove from the pot and continue this until all meat is seared.

Pour the chiles, tomato, onion, garlic and broth into a blender. Add the salt and blend until smooth.

Pour the chile sauce into the large dutch oven, add the remaining 1 cup of beef broth. Add all of the meat back into the pot. Season with cumin and oregano. Add in the bay leaves. Stir to combine.

Bring this to a boil over medium high heat, cover and reduce heat to low and cook for 1 hour or until meat is tender and can easily fall apart.

Stir in 2 tbsp of masa and bring to a simmer to allow the stew to thicken.

Remove the bay leaves, serve over rice with fresh flour tortillas on the side. Garnish with cilantro if desired.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary