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Chile Colorado

Featured in The Stars of the Table.

This authentic birria transforms beef into mouthwatering tender meat through a complex sauce made from three carefully chosen dried chiles. The guajillo chiles provide rich earthiness, anchos add subtle sweetness, and árbols bring the perfect level of heat to create incredible depth of flavor. Whether you choose the traditional Dutch oven method, let it simmer all day in a slow cooker, or speed things up in the Instant Pot, the meat becomes fall-apart tender while absorbing all those amazing chile flavors. Perfect for everything from tacos to quesabirria or enjoyed as a hearty stew!
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Updated on Tue, 14 Jan 2025 23:40:25 GMT
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A plate of rich beef stew garnished with cilantro, served alongside yellow rice and colorful bell peppers. Pin it
A plate of rich beef stew garnished with cilantro, served alongside yellow rice and colorful bell peppers. | tasteofcook.com

My Chile Colorado recipe brings those rich Mexican flavors right to your kitchen. That tender beef swimming in deep red chile sauce takes me back to my grandmother's cooking. Perfect with warm tortillas rice and beans it's pure comfort food.

Simple Magic

The magic happens when those dried chiles meet tender beef creating something truly special. Easy enough for weeknights special enough for Sunday dinner. Serve it your way with tortillas rice beans whatever makes you happy.

What You'll Need

  • Dried Chiles: Guajillo, ancho, árbol create perfect flavor.
  • Beef Chuck: Cut into bite-size pieces.
  • Fresh Garlic: Whole head makes it amazing.
  • Mexican Oregano: Different than regular oregano.
  • Cumin: Just enough adds depth.
  • Stock: Beef or chicken, both work great.
  • Fresh Lime: Brightens everything up.

Let's Cook

Let's Cook
Toast Those Chiles: Quick in a dry pan till fragrant, watch close.
Brown Your Beef: Get those pieces golden; adds so much flavor.
Make The Sauce: Blend those chiles, garlic, spices till smooth.
Slow Cook: Let beef simmer in sauce till tender, perfect.
A plate of savory beef stew garnished with cilantro and served with yellow rice and red chilies. Pin it
A plate of savory beef stew garnished with cilantro and served with yellow rice and red chilies. | tasteofcook.com

Make It Perfect

Mix those chiles each brings something special. Take time browning that beef worth every minute. Let it simmer low and slow gets so tender. Want less heat? Use fewer árbol chiles.

Mix It Up

Try pork or chicken instead of beef. Going veggie? Nopales chickpeas work great. Little Mexican chocolate makes it rich. Got a slow cooker? Eight hours on low makes magic.

Keep It Fresh

Keeps beautiful 5 days in the fridge freezes up to 3 months. Thaw overnight when ready warm it gentle covered keeps sauce perfect.

Serve It Right

Over fluffy rice with beans alongside. Stuff burritos tacos makes them amazing. Always warm tortillas for dipping in that good sauce.

Quick Answers

Can't find chiles? Order online or use good enchilada sauce. Want it spicier? More árbol chiles do the trick. Skip browning? You can but that golden crust adds so much.

Pure Love

This dish brings memories with every bite. Stays true to tradition but works your way too. Make extra freezes beautifully perfect anytime you need comfort food.

A plate of flavorful beef stew with cilantro and lime, served alongside yellow rice garnished with herbs. Pin it
A plate of flavorful beef stew with cilantro and lime, served alongside yellow rice garnished with herbs. | tasteofcook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make this ahead?
Red chile sauce can be made ahead and frozen up to 6 months. Complete dish reheats well.
→ What proteins can I use?
Swap beef for pork shoulder or chicken thighs. For vegetarian version, use nopales, potatoes, or chickpeas.
→ Can I use a slow cooker?
Yes, cook 4-5 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low after making sauce and searing meat. Meat will be more tender.
→ How do I make it gluten-free?
Replace all-purpose flour with tapioca starch or white rice flour for coating meat.
→ Can I add more flavor?
Add 1/8 tablet Mexican chocolate to sauce for sweetness and earthy cocoa notes.

Chile Colorado

A traditional Mexican beef stew featuring tender beef chunks simmered in a flavorful red sauce made with dried chiles.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
95 Minutes
Total Time
110 Minutes


Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: Mexican

Yield: 6 Servings (6 servings)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

01 Guajillo chiles - 8.
02 Ancho chiles - 2.
03 árbol chile - 1.
04 Yellow onion - 1/2.
05 Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon.
06 Kosher salt - 1 1/2 teaspoons.
07 Garlic - 1 clove.
08 Ground cumin - 1/2 teaspoon.
09 Beef stew meat - 2 pounds.
10 All-purpose flour - 2 tablespoons.
11 Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon.
12 Olive oil - 2 tablespoons.
13 Beef broth - 2 1/2 cups.
14 Bay leaf - 1.

Instructions

Step 01

Boil chiles and onion. Soak 20 minutes. Blend with 1 cup soaking water, oregano, salt, garlic, and cumin.

Step 02

Toss beef with flour, salt and pepper.

Step 03

Sear beef in batches until browned, about 5 minutes per batch.

Step 04

Combine meat, sauce, broth and bay leaf. Simmer covered 45 minutes until tender.

Step 05

Cook uncovered 15 minutes to thicken sauce.

Notes

  1. Sauce can be made ahead and frozen.
  2. Works with pork or chicken too.
  3. Can be made in slow cooker or Instant Pot.

Tools You'll Need

  • Dutch oven or large pot.
  • Blender.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Wheat.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 328
  • Total Fat: 13 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 37 g