Chile Colorado is a flavorful and hearty stew recipe made with stew meat simmered in a Mexican style red chile sauce until fall-apart tender. This Chile Colorado recipe can be made in the oven, stove top, Instant Pot or slow cooker.
My oldest son and I used to go to a Mexican restaurant in Moorpark, California that in our opinion makes the absolute best Chile Colorado recipe! The beef stew meat was melt in your mouth tender and incredibly tasty. The red chile sauce was thick and flavorful without being too spicy!
Chile Colorado is all about hearty and bold flavors which makes this tasty Mexican beef stew the perfect filling for burritos or shredded beef tacos. I like serving it with a simple side of Mexican rice, beans and tortillas.
Chile Colorado
This easy beef stew recipe starts with a red chili sauce made with dried chiles, tomato and spices that are blended into a flavor-packed simmering sauce. Yes, this Chile Colorado is the real deal! No canned chili sauce here! But, don’t worry! I have a few shortcuts and simple instructions that will make this Mexican recipe a breeze to make!
What Is Chile Colorado?
Chile Colorado, sometimes spelled Chili Colorado is a Mexican stew made by simmering meat in a sauce made with dried chiles and spices. Colorado (red) is a reference to the beautiful deep Mexican red sauce used to make this tasty stew.
To make Chili Colorado, meats like beef, pork, lamb and even chicken can be used.
Chile Colorado Recipe Ingredients
- Dried Chiles: You can use a combination of dried chiles (see recipe below) or simply use one or two types of chiles. Chiles like New Mexico chiles, Guajillo Chiles or Dried Ancho Chiles are always good options.
- Broth: I use beef broth or chicken broth. Water can also be used instead of broth.
- Tomato: I provide instructions for roasting tomatoes in the recipe card below,. However, in a pinch you can use canned roasted tomatoes.
- Beef: Stew meat like beef chuck are what I always get. Cut the meat into 1-inch pieces or buy pre-cut stew meat.
- Masa Harina: This gluten free product is used as a thickening agent. It has a distinct Mexican corn flavor
- Other Ingredients: Onions, garlic, ground cumin, oregano, allspice, apple cider vinegar and chicken or beef bouillon (optional).
How To Make Chile Colorado
Authentic Mexican Chile Colorado is all about the red chili sauce. The depths of flavors of homemade chili sauce cannot compare to anything you buy in a can.
How To Make Chile Colorado Sauce
- Get Ready: If you have very sensitive skin, please wear disposable gloves.
- Prep the Chiles: Grab a dry chile and remove the stem by pulling it.
- Open up the chile (use kitchen shears, if needed) and scrape off the seeds and any ribs. If the chile is small (like chile de arbol), after pulling the stem, turn the opening down and squeeze the seeds out by gently massaging it.
- Microwave: Toast the chiles in the microwave. Yes! You heard me right! I learned this method from serious eats. Place the chiles on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for two 15-seconds intervals. The chiles should be warm and pliable.
- Microwave some water (or broth) until warm. Submerge the chiles into the liquid, cover and microwave again for about 2 minutes.
- Blend:Add the chiles and liquid into the blender and process until smooth.
- If you do not like using the microwave, you can toast the chiles on a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat, turning the chiles as needed. Also, you can boil water (or broth) and soak the chiles in the liquid for 30 minutes. At this point, you are ready for blending!
Make The Chile Colorado (Mexican Beef Stew)
- Next, brown the beef over medium high heat. Remove the meat from the pot and set aside.
- Saute the onions, garlic and add the spices.
- Return the beef and any collected juices to the pot. Add the red chili sauce, remaining broth and simmer until the beef is tender.
- Make a masa harina slurry by using some of the cooking liquid (beef juices) and mixing it with the masa harina.
- Stir the masa harina slurry and the apple cider vinegar into the stew and simmer for 5 minutes.
Did You Know?
- Ancho Chiles are whole Poblano Peppers that have been dried. They are also referred as Pasilla Chiles. They are mild in flavor and have very little heat (if any).
- Masa Harina is the main ingredient for tamales. It is also a great addition to Homemade Chili!
What’s The Difference Between Chile Verde and Chile Colorado?
Chile verde is a stew made by simmering meat (mostly pork) in a green Chile sauce. Unlike chile colorado, the chile verde sauce is made mostly with green tomatillos instead of dried red chiles.
Are New Mexico Chiles and Guajillo Chiles The Same?
No, they are not the same. However, they are very similar in flavor and heat level so you can substitute one with the other.
Can Chile Colorado Be Made Ahead?
Absolutely! Both the Mexican red sauce and the stew can be made in advance. Chile Colorado sauce can be store in the refrigerator in an airtight container up to 3 days. The stew can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
Chile Colorado Recipe Tips
- You may need to brown the beef in batches to prevent over crowding the pot. You want to get a nice sear on the beef instead of steaming the meat.
- If making this beef stew recipe in the slow cooker, you should brown the beef first in a separate pan (unless your crock pot has a saute function).
- I am not a big fan of canned beef broth. I don’t think it has any beefy flavor. I use canned chicken broth instead.
- When blending hot liquids, make sure you hold the blender’s lid down with a kitchen towel to prevent a big messy blow out! Also, always start blending in the lowest setting.
- I love making stews like Chile Colorado in an Enamel Cast Iron Dutch oven. Although I love my Le Creuset, this budget friendly Dutch Oven is the one I use most often.
Take A Look At These Other Delicious Recipes:
- Ropa Vieja Recipe
- Chipotle Barbacoa Recipe
- Lemon Salmon Recipe
- French Martini Ingredients
- Posole Toppings
- Steel Cut Oats Instant Pot
- How to Prepare Beef Tenderloin
- Teriyaki Chicken Breast
- Artichokes in Instant Pot
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Chile Colorado (Mexican Beef Stew) Recipe
Chile Colorado is a flavorful and hearty stew recipe made with stew meat simmered in a Mexican style red chile sauce until fall-apart tender. This Chile Colorado recipe can be made in the oven, stove top, Instant Pot or slow cooker.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 24 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 39 minutes
Servings 8 people
Ingredients
For The Chile Paste
- 3 dried Guajillo chiles *see notes about chiles
- 4 dried New Mexico Chiles
- 2 dried Chile de Arbol chiles
- 4 cups chicken broth or beef stock, divided
- 1 tomato roasted *see notes
For the Chile Colorado Beef Stew
- 4 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch chunks *see notes
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, vegetable oil or canola oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon ground all spice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons masa harina
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
To Make the Red Chile Sauce
- Remove the stems and seeds from the chiles.
- Place the chiles on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high for 30 seconds total – in 2 intervals of 15 seconds each.
- Heat 2 cups of chicken broth until warm – you can do this in the microwave. Submerge the chiles into the broth, cover and microwave for about 2 minutes.
To Make the Chile Colorado Beef Stew
- Season the beef with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the beef to the pot in a single layer and sear on all sides until the beef turns golden brown. You may need to do this in batches to prevent over crowding the pot. Remove the seared beef to a plate and set aside.
- When you are done searing all the beef, add the onions to the pot (add more oil if needed), and saute for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions become soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 additional minute. Add the spices and cook for 1 minute stirring constantly.
- Return the beef and any collected juices back to the pot. Add the red chile sauce and the remaining broth and stir to combine. Bring to a boil. (If cooking in the oven or in the slow cooker, you can follow the instructions below).
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and cook stirring occasionally for about 1.5 hours or until the beef is tender.
If Cooking In the Oven
- Preheat the oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the covered pot in the oven and cook for 1.5 hours or until the beef is tender.
If Cooking In the Slow Cooker:
- Place the seared beef, saute onions, garlic and spices into the slow cooker. Add the chile paste and broth. Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours or until the beef is tender.
If Cooking In A Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
- Use the saute function to brown the beef Do it in batches not to overcrowd the pot. Remove from the Instant Pot.
- When you are done searing all the beef, (see NOTE 1) add the onions to the pot (add more oil if needed), and saute for about 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions become soft and translucent. Add the garlic and the spices and cook for 30 seconds stirring constantly. Turn the Instant Pot Off.
- Pour the remaining broth into the Instant Pot and with a wooden spoon scrape any browned bits stuck at the bottom. Return the beef and any collected juices back to the pot. Add the red chile sauce and stir to combine.
- Lock the lid on and check that the valve is set to seal. Cook on HIGH pressure for 30 minutes.
- When the cook time is up, let the pressure naturally release for 10 minutes. Release the remaining pressure and carefully open the lid. Continue with the rest of the recipe below. You will use the saute function to simmer the sauce (with the cornstarch slurry) for 5-6 minutes.
After The Beef Is Tender (for all methods)
- Make a Masa Harina Slurry: In a small bowl, mix the masa harina with 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid (beef juices) until the mixture is smooth. You can also use broth or water, if preferred.
- Stir the masa harina slurry mixture and the vinegar into the beef stew and simmer on the stove top for 5 minutes. (If using a slow cooker, set the crockpot to high and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes).
- Check for seasoning and add the chicken bouillon (optional) or salt and pepper, if needed. Serve.
Video
Chef’s Tips
- Note 1:Â If the IP is getting too hot after browning the beef (you will notice the bottom of the pot looks burnt – simply turn the pressure cooker off for about 3-4 minutes, after turn the IP to saute again.
- You can use a combination of dried chiles or just one or two types. If using only one type of chile, I suggest using New Mexico chiles or dried ancho chiles (not in the recipe but it makes a great sauce!)
- You can use stew meat.
- You can use about a cup of canned roasted tomatoes instead. Seriously don’t stress over the exact amount, I usually use 3/4 of a 15-ounce can. If I’m feeling particularly lazy I skip the measurements and dump the whole can!Â
- How To Roast a Tomato: Heat a small cast iron skillet over high heat. Add the tomato and cook, turning often until lightly charred. You can also char the tomato in the oven under the broil, turning it often.Â
Nutrition
Calories: 474kcal (24%)Carbohydrates: 6g (2%)Protein: 44g (88%)Fat: 30g (46%)Saturated Fat: 12g (75%)Cholesterol: 156mg (52%)Sodium: 618mg (27%)Potassium: 959mg (27%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 475IU (10%)Vitamin C: 12.3mg (15%)Calcium: 73mg (7%)Iron: 6mg (33%)
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Irene Deem says
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I used fire roasted canned tomatoes but it still came out great. The sauce has wonderful flavor and a very smooth silken texture with the Massa Harina slurry.
Kathy says
Thank you Irene! Fire roasted canned tomatoes work! Sometimes I do that as well. I’m so glad you liked it. It’s truly one of my favorite recipes in the entire blog.
Jon Stokes says
Great recipe. Another tip linked to the IP getting too hot and/or scorching: non-stick IP insert pots are less than $20 for most models and solve that issue without still burning the food.
Kathy says
Thank you Jon. I love me a good tip! 🙂
Jon Stokes says
Any time! Made the recipe yesterday and while it was a little labor intensive, only because I had to prep everything down to cutting the meat, I had a lot of fun. The house smelled amazing all day, and it turned out so delicious. I did have to cook it a bit longer than instructed, but I definitely attribute that to the cut of meat I was using. Thank you!
Kathy says
Thanks Jon! I agree. A bit labor intense but totally worth it. Thanks for the feedback!
Andrea says
The best recipe!! I’m obsessed with Chile Colorado. Out of curiosity, what was the restaurant called in moorpark?! I’m local and would love to try it out!!
Kathy says
Hi Andrea, Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you. Don Cuco’s in Moorpark (not the one in Simi)
Robert G says
I loved this dish!!! It is the perfect combination of smoky and silty. I opted to make it in my pressure cooker and it was perfect and I’m definitely going to make this again. Thank you for sharing this!
Kathy says
Thanks Robert. Glad you liked it.
Laura Cox says
I used to work in a American-southwestern restaurant, and we would go through gallons of this red chile stew with fry bread or tortillas (green chile too, but red is better, in my opinion), and I searched far and wide to find a recipe that gets as close to that bestselling dish. This is it! It tastes like the red chile stew that my aunties would make. The broth becomes so rich and luxurious, with a nice, warm blend of flavor from the chiles, and the tender, flaky meat cooked to perfection. In the big kitchens, we would do this in a tilt-skillet or a very large pot, but at home, I generally use a 6 qt Dutch oven or my Instant Pot. This recipe is one I will keep using for many years to come. Pretty much everyone in my family adores this recipe. Thank you for sharing, Chef!
Kathy says
Thank you Laura. That makes me so happy! I am glad you found a recipe you love. Keep coming back for more!
Liza Anderson says
I am going to make this for the first time and was wondering if I only use one chile type do I use the same amount for 3 different kinds?
Kathy says
Hi Liza, If using only one type of chile, use anywhere from 7 to 9 chiles (depending on their size).
Louise Patenaude says
Really loved it. Fast and tasty! I took canned roasted tomatoes (I like shortcuts!) and I like veggies. So I added mushrooms, potatoes and carrots. It was delicious! I will make it again and again in my RV (Just bring the chili paste and the rest is super fast and easy. Thanks!
Kathy says
Hi Louise! I like shortcuts too! I’m so glad you liked it. This is one of my favorite recipes on the blog! Thank you.
Bonnie Jones says
I did not see in the recipe when to add the apple cider vinegar listed in the ingredients. I added it at the end when you putt the near and Chile sauce together to slow cook in the oven. I hope I haven’t ruined it! I am so looking forward to this dish. I am a foster parent and a new kiddo staying with me is really missing cultural foods from her family. I hope this does the trick!
Kathy says
Hi Bonnie, The vinegar is added at the end – in the recipe card is under “When The Beef Is Tender” For All Methods.
I am glad you’ll be making this. I hope your kid likes it as much as we do. Thank you xo
Celia says
This was my second time making this recipe and loved it just as much, if not more than the first time! I avoid flour (masa), so I used arrow root and it was perfect. My daughter’s favorite dish is Chile Colorado and she loved this!
Kathy says
Celia This makes me so happy! Thank you xo
April Anderson says
I am making homemade tamales for Christmas 2020, and it’s my first year doing them like my Nana did – with Chile Colorado meat & sauce, and a green olive in each one.
I swear, when I made this recipe, my kitchen smelled like my parents’ house where Nana would cook her Chile Colorado. This was the best version – aside from Nana’s – that I could hope to replicate… in an Instant Pot, no less! Thank you so much for sharing!
Kathy says
April, thank you! You made my Thanksgiving weekend better by sharing that with me. I am so glad to hear that my version reminds you of your grandma’s version which I’m sure was the best! (Nothing like grandma’s cooking!).
Tom M says
This was so good! Great flavor from the different chiles, and the balance between them and the others spices was perfect. I seared the meat and then sauteed the onions and garlic on the stove top in a dutch oven, and then used the same pot in a conventional oven at the temp and time in the recipe. The meat was very tender! My first choice for cooking method was a crock pot but I passed on that due to time constraints. It’s a keeper. Thank you, Kathy.
Kathy says
Thanks Tom! I am so glad you liked the recipe. I think stove top / oven do a great job. I have made this in the Instant Pot also with great results. I love my crock pot but I’ve been using it less and less due to time constraints also! Thanks for the feedback.
Sue says
Know I’ll make this again. I do like more heat, so will double the small hot chiles or triple. I could not find Chile de Arbol chiles, so substituted Japanese chiles, but they are supposed to be the same range heat wise.
Really appreciated all of the options for cooking. I cooked on the stove top, but will probably use my Instant Pot next time.
Kathy says
Thank you Sue! Chile de arbol is a good spicier option. You can use just that type of chile (not a combination of chiles). Puya chilies are also spicy but I can never find them locally. Dried cayenne (not ground) is spicy too!