Chile Colorado: Juicy Beef in Rich Red Sauce

This Chile Colorado dish features juicy beef chunks smothered in a deliciously rich red Chile sauce. Pair it with rice for a true taste of Mexico!

Chile ColoradoPhoto byThyme of Season

What is Chile Colorado?

Chile Colorado is a traditional Mexican dish known for its rich, vibrant flavors and deep, beautiful color. It is a stew that features juicy chunks of beef or pork cooked slowly in a rich, zesty red chile sauce created from dried Mexican chiles, broth, and a mix of spices.

The name is derived from the Spanish term Colorado, translating to “colored red.” To create a rich, brick-red sauce, dried chiles are rehydrated and mixed with aromatics and broth, adding depth and a smoky flavor to the braised beef.

What is Chile Colorado made of?

Dried chiles. When you rehydrate and blend pasilla, guajillo, and ancho chiles, you get that classic deep red color in chile Colorado. If you’re craving a bit more spice, toss in some arbol chiles for an extra kick.

• Ancho Chiles - These are just dried poblano peppers that bring a gentle kick and a touch of sweetness, kind of like raisins.
• Guajillo Chiles - Guajillo chiles pack a nice moderate heat along with a fruity, tangy flavor that pairs well with the earthiness of the other chiles.
• Pasilla Chiles - Pasilla chiles offer a rich, smoky taste with a subtle berry sweetness, adding depth to your sauce.
• Árbol Chiles - Árbol chiles have a rich flavor similar to guajillos, with a smoky taste and a flavor of nut. They have a high level of spice. You can add them if you prefer a spicy Chile Colorado.

Aromatics. Mixing garlic and onions into the chile sauce helps spread their flavor all around, plus it gives the sauce a nice smooth texture.

Dried spices. Adding ground cumin, oregano, and bay leaves brings a warm, earthy vibe to the stew.

Broth. The beef simmers in beef broth, but feel free to swap in chicken or vegetable broth if that’s what have.

Braised Beef. Cuts like beef chuck or chuck shoulder roast are ideal for this stew since they’ll get nice and tender without disintegrating completely.

Ingredients Needed

To make a delicious Chile Colorado, you will need the following ingredients:

Chile Sauce Ingredients

• 3 guajillo chiles, stems removed and seeded
• 3 ancho chiles, stems removed and seeded
• 2 pasilla chiles, stem removed and seeded
• 1 medium yellow onion, cut into quarters
• 3 cups beef broth (or chicken or vegetable broth)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

For the meat

• 2 pounds beef stew meat (like chuck shoulder or roast), cut into ½-inch squares
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 2 bay leaves

Cooking Instructions

Sauce Instructions:

Start by removing the stems and seeds from the dried chilies. Rinse them briefly under water, then place them and the onion into a saucepan with enough water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat and let the chilies simmer until they are soft, roughly 15-20 minutes.

Drain the chilies onion and blend them in a high-speed blender with garlic, cumin, oregano, and salt until smooth. Strain if needed.

Cooking the Beef Instructions:

Place the flour, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl and mix. Add the beef and toss until coated.

In a large pot, heat the cooking oil and brown the beef on all sides so they have a good sear, about 5 minutes. You may have to do this in batches if your pot is not large enough.

Add the chili sauce and bay leaves to the pot. Simmer everything together until the meat is tender, about 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. The longer it cooks the thicker the sauce will become. Once the meat is done, remove the bay leaves.

Serve this Chile Colorado with traditional rice, tortillas, or on its own to enjoy the authentic flavors!