Mexican Chile Colorado

A rich, savory Mexican dish made with tender beef simmered in a flavorful sauce made from dried chiles, garlic, and spices. Perfect served with rice, tortillas, or as a filling for tacos or burritos!

Ingredients:

2 lbs beef chuck roast or stew meat (cut into cubes)

5-6 dried guajillo chiles

2-3 dried ancho chiles

2 medium tomatoes (quartered)

1 small onion (quartered)

4 cloves garlic (peeled)

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon oregano

2 cups beef broth (or water)

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare the Chiles:

Toast the chiles: Remove the stems and seeds from the dried guajillo and ancho chiles. Heat a skillet over medium heat and lightly toast the chiles for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant (do not burn).

Soak the chiles: Place the toasted chiles in a bowl and cover with hot water. Let them soak for about 20 minutes to soften.

2. Prepare the Sauce:

Blend the sauce: Once the chiles have softened, drain them and place them in a blender with the tomatoes, onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Add 1 cup of beef broth or water. Blend until smooth. If needed, add more liquid to achieve the desired consistency.

3. Brown the Beef:

Brown the beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Brown the beef on all sides (about 5-7 minutes). Remove the beef and set it aside.

4. Cook the Chile Colorado:

Simmer: In the same pot, pour in the blended chile sauce. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes to deepen the flavor. Add the browned beef back into the pot along with the remaining beef broth. Stir well to coat the beef in the sauce.

5. Slow Cook:

Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the beef simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the meat is tender and the flavors have melded together. If needed, add more broth or water during the cooking process to maintain the desired consistency of the sauce.

6. Serve:

Serve: Serve the Chile Colorado hot, garnished with fresh cilantro (optional). It pairs wonderfully with rice, warm tortillas, or over mashed potatoes!

Enjoy this delicious, savory dish full of flavor and warmth, perfect for any meal! 🌶️🍽️