• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Chef Dennis
  • Recipe Index
  • On the Road
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • About
    • Contact
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Beef Recipes

    Authentic Chile Colorado Recipe

    Published: Sep 30, 2020 · Modified: Aug 9, 2023 by Chef Dennis Littley

    799 shares
    • Facebook303
    • Email
    5 from 113 votes
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    pinterest image for beef chili colorado

    Have you ever had Beef Chile Colorado? Next time you’re in the mood for chili, take my advice and try the real deal. No beans, just meat and chili sauce, served up with brown rice and tortillas.

    And if you want beans with your Chili Colorado, they’re served on the side…..Cowboy Style.

    overhead view of a white bowl with beef chili colorado rice and flour tortillas

    When you hear the words “Chile Colorado” it should evoke thoughts of dried chiles, tender pieces of chuck roast, and seasonings like ground cumin culminating in a symphony of deliciousness.

    You can also think of Chile Colorado as a Mexican version of beef stew. And for me, it brings back memories from my childhood growing up in San Antonio, Texas.

    Table of Contents:

    • Ingredients to make Chile Colorado Sauce
    • Chef Dennis Tip:
    • Can I toast the Chiles in the oven?
    • Can I use different Chile Peppers in the Red Chili Sauce?
    • Chef Dennis Tip:
    • How to Chile Colorado
    • What should I serve Chile Colorado with?
    • Recipe FAQ’s
    • More Recipes you’ll love
    • Beef Chile Colorado
      • Ingredients
        • Chili Sauce
        • Beef
      • Instructions
        • Red Chili Sauce
        • Beef
      • Video
      • Nutrition

    Ingredients to make Chile Colorado Sauce

    ingredients to make chili sauce

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make the Sauce for Beef Chili Colorado. In chef speak this is called the Mise en Place which translates into Everything in its Place.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    chili peppers toasting in a large saute pan

    Once you’ve gathered the ingredients for the chili sauce, the first step is toasting the deseeded chili peppers.

    This will enhance and deepen the flavor of the chilies. Just be careful not to scorch the peppers, which will make them bitter.

    Chef Dennis Tip:

    If possible wear plastic gloves when you handle the chilies. Also, make sure to clean all the surfaces and wash your hands thoroughly.

    Can I toast the Chiles in the oven?

    Yes, you can. Place the chili peppers on a baking sheet and toast in a 350-degree oven just until fragrant and puffed, about 5-6 minutes.

    Can I use different Chile Peppers in the Red Chili Sauce?

    Yes, you can. Depending upon your tolerance for heat, you can use hotter peppers. The peppers I’ve chosen are mild.

    These are some of the other peppers you can use:

    • Cascabel – Round, tropical, fruity, relatively mild heat.
    • Puya – Similar to guajillos but smaller and spicier, earthy, fruity but with some acidity, medium heat.
    • Chipotle – Medium-sized, tough-skinned, smoky, medium heat.
    • Chiles de Arbol – Small, nutty, earthy, very spicy.
    • Morita – Petite, smoky, sweet dried fruit flavors, medium to high heat.
    • Pequin – Tiny, a little smoky, a little fruity, very spicy.

    Chef Dennis Tip:

    When you toast the chilies, make sure to have your hood fan on and open a window if possible. The lower-heat peppers won’t be a problem, but if you use the spicier varieties, the aroma coming off the peppers can easily choke you.

    How to Chile Colorado

    onions and garlic cooking in a large pot

    Sauté the onion in a little olive oil for 2-3 minutes then add the garlic and continue cooking for an additional minute.

    ingredients for chili sauce in a large pot

    Place the remainder of the ingredients for the chili sauce into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, cover and allow too steep for 45 minutes.

    2 images one of the chili sauce ingredients in a blender and one of the fully blended ingredients in the blender

    Reserve one cup of broth for later use. Place the remainder of the ingredients into a blender and blend at its highest setting.

    Depending on the power of the blender it may completely puree all the ingredients. If it has bits and pieces remaining, run the sauce through a sieve to take out and pieces that didn’t get pureed.

    ingredients to make beef chili colorado

    Gather the remaining ingredients, and let’s get started making the Beef Chile Colorado!

    beef chunks browning in a large pot

    Season the beef with sea salt and black pepper. Then seer the beef in a hot pan with a little olive oil. Make sure to sear all the sides of the beef cubes.

    Don’t overcrowd the pan, do the beef in two batches if you don’t have a big enough pot.

    seared beef with chili sauce and broth in a large pot

    Add the chile sauce to the seared beef along with the reserved beef stock. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Let the beef simmer covered for 2 hours.

    After simmering for two hours, uncover the pot. Mix the masa harina with 2 tablespoons of the broth to make a slurry. Add the slurry to the pot and stir well, making sure to have and lumps from the slurry.

    Continue cooking the Chili Colorado for about 30 minutes until the sauce has thickened.

    This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    I used my All-Clad 6 Qt Pot to make the Chile Colorado, It’s a great all-purpose pot.

    What should I serve Chile Colorado with?

    Serve Beef Chile Colorado with seasoned rice (and beans if desired) and grilled (or heated) tortillas of your choice. I can never decide whether I like corn or flour tortillas the best. Today I went with flour tortillas.

    close up of beef Colorado and rice in a white bowl

    The rich smokey flavor of the chilies with the fork-tender beef will soon become one of your favorite dishes. I love using brown rice with this type of dish, it adds a nuttiness that you don’t get with white rice. It takes a little longer to cook than most of my dishes but trust me when I tell you it’s well worth the effort!

    If you like Chili with Beans try my Four Bean, Beef and Beer Chili.

    Recipe FAQ’s

    Why is it called Chile Colorado?

    Chili Colorado wasn’t named after the state of Colorado? The name “Colorado”, which means “colored red”, is derived from the deep red color of the chile sauce.

    What cut of beef should I use for Chile Colorado?

    Chuck, Short Ribs and Oxtail are my preferred choices for chile Colorado. The cheaper cuts of meat come from muscles that work more and would generally be tougher. But that also means more collagen-rich connective tissue. This connective tissue dissolves into the meat, adding to the body and richness to the stew that more expensive cuts of meat won’t give you. It also keeps the meat tender and moist which is exactly what you want with stew meat.

    What is the difference between Chile Colorado and Chile Verde?

    Chile Colorado gets its deep red color from dried chili peppers. Chile Verde sauce is made mostly with green tomatillos instead of dried red chiles.

    More Recipes you’ll love

    • cropped-Gunniess-Beef-Stew-13.jpg
      Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • coq au vin on a white plate with mashed potatoes.
      Coq au Vin Recipe {Very Best}
    • white bowl of pulled pork in barbecue sauce
      Easy Oven Cooked Pulled Pork Recipe
    • 3 half racks of grilled baby back ribs on a white platter
      Grilled Baby Back Ribs w/ Dry Rub Step by Step

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

    chile colorado and rice in a white bowl
    Print Recipe Save Saved!
    5 from 113 votes

    Beef Chile Colorado

    Don't think because you hear the word Chile that it's got to be hot. It's all about picking the right chile for the right dish. Of course, you can always dial up the heat, but if you're looking for the earthy rich flavor that only chilis can give a dish, then my Beef Chile Colorado is just what you're looking for.
    Prep Time25 minutes mins
    Cook Time3 hours hrs 45 minutes mins
    Total Time4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 589kcal

    Ingredients

    Chili Sauce

    • 3 dried Guajillo chiles stems removed and seeded
    • 3 dried Ancho chiles stems removed and seeded
    • 2 New Mexico chiles (or pasilla) stems removed and seeded
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • ½ sweet Vidalia onion chopped
    • 3 clove garlic finely chopped
    • 3 cups beef broth 1 cup reserved (chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted)
    • 3 teaspoon cumin
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt or more to taste
    • 1½ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 cup fire-roasted tomato

    Beef

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 pounds beef chuck cut into 1 inch squares
    • 1 tablespoon masa harina
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Red Chili Sauce

    • In a large sauté pan or wide bottom pot, toast the chiles over medium heat for 1-2 minutes to bring out the flavor of the peppers. Remove from the pan until needed.
    • Add olive oil to the hot pan and sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes then add in the garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute.
    • Add the toasted chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, seasonings and beef stock to the pan.
    • Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn off heat, cover the pot and let it steep for 45 minutes.
    • Reserve one cup of the stock. Add the remainder of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth at the highest setting.
      Add additional liquid if the mixture is too thick for your blender. Reserve the remainder of the liquid till needed.
      **Depending on the power of the blender it may completely puree all the ingredients. If it has bits and pieces remaining, run the sauce through a sieve to take out and pieces that didn't get pureed.

    Beef

    • Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil and half of the meat and brown on all sides so they have a good sear, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the browned beef into a bowl and repeat the process with the remaining uncooked meat.
    • When all the beef has browned, return all the meat to the pot. Add in the red chile sauce, and reserved beef broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture has begun to boil, reduce the heat to simmer. Cover the pot and continue to simmer for 2 hours.
    • Uncover, taste and reseason as necessary.
    • Mix the masa harina with 2 tablespoons of the broth from the pot to make a slurry. Add the slurry back into the pot and mix well.
    • Raise to medium heat and cook for another 15 to 30 minutes, until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook longer.
    • Serve with rice, tortillas and beans and enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 589kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 47g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 156mg | Sodium: 1540mg | Potassium: 916mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 586IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 7mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!

    More Beef Recipes

    • Sliced pan seared filet mignon on a white plate with potatoes and green beans.
      Pan Seared Filet Mignon
    • Sliced smoked beef brisket on a white platter.
      Easy Smoked Beef Brisket Recipe
    • Sliced smoked chuck roast on a white platter with parsley sprigs.
      Smoked Chuck Roast
    • BBQ Smoked Beef Short Ribs on a white platter.
      Smoked Beef Short Ribs

    About Chef Dennis

    Picture of Chef Dennis

    Chef Dennis Littley is a classically trained chef with over 40 years of experience working in the food service industry. In his second career as a food blogger he has made it his mission to demistify cooking by sharing his time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen. Let Chef Dennis help you bring the joy of cooking into your home. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Comment Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Raven

      May 04, 2023 at 4:27 pm

      Hi, Chef Dennis,
      Chili Colorado is one of my favorite foods. I can’t find it at any restaurants here. My husband can’t eat spicy foods, they cause his tongue to swell, so I’m torn between just making this for me as is or trying to make it for him with light spice. Would you have a recommendation for me to make it for him? Would just using 1 of each of the peppers still give it enough flavor?

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        May 04, 2023 at 6:58 pm

        Cutting back on the peppers would still give it some flavor, but it won’t have quite the depth of flavor. It might still be too spicy for him so you might be better off to make it as written for you. Freeze portions that you can enjoy later and make your husband something he likes to eat. I do this with my wife all the time. She is not fond of most of the spices I like to use for my food.

        Reply
    2. Maureen. Ontario Canada

      April 29, 2023 at 9:58 am

      I can’t wait to make this. What kind of rice would be suitable? Can you please provide some suggestions? Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        April 29, 2023 at 10:02 am

        You could use regular white rice, but I have come to enjoy brown rice more than white rice. It has more flavor and nutrients you won’t find in white rice.

        Reply
    3. Martha

      March 26, 2022 at 8:33 pm

      5 stars
      Wow!!! This is absolutely delicious and really pretty simple to prepare. Going to make it for the 6th time. I recommend that all Mexican food lovers give it a try.

      Reply
    4. Angela

      March 03, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      Dennis,
      I’m having difficult time finding Mesa herina. I’m in Spokane WA. From what I have read this ingredient is different from Corn Meal. Any suggestions?
      Thank you,
      Angela

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        March 03, 2022 at 9:46 pm

        you can use a fine or medium grain corn meal in place of the masa harina

        Reply
      • John

        August 22, 2022 at 4:25 pm

        Angela, I’m in North Idaho and go to DeLeon Market in Spokane Valley for all my Mexican needs. They’ll have it there for sure.

        Reply
      • Dawn

        September 19, 2023 at 10:43 am

        Angela, I too live in Spokane. I get my Masa Harina at Safeway or Yokes on which ever aisle the Bob’s Red Mill products are.

        Reply
    5. Marie W

      February 13, 2021 at 11:06 pm

      5 stars
      My husband’s favorite meal is Chile Colorado. He loves only the one at one of our local restaurant. I’ve tried making it in the past with different recipes. They were just ok. Tonight I used your recipe. Wow!! It was delicious. He loved it. Kids loved it. I loved it. I didn’t have ancho chiles so I subbed chipotle in adobe sauce.
      The only bummer to this is that he will now expect me too cook it more often.

      Reply
    6. Michelle

      January 29, 2021 at 10:11 pm

      I made this today and it was absolutely delicious! My family was amazed and it honestly tastes like it was from an authentic Mexican restaurant. The aromas in my kitchen from the variety of chili’s is incredible.

      Reply
      • Chef Dennis Littley

        January 29, 2021 at 10:20 pm

        I’m happy to hear you enjoyed making the chili Colorado, I love the flavors of the chilis

        Reply
    7. Sapana Behl

      October 07, 2020 at 4:21 am

      5 stars
      All those Mexican chilies sounds so flavorful and tasty. I am sure they must have given a unique and exquisite taste to the beef chili colordao.

      Reply
    8. Marysa

      October 06, 2020 at 7:01 pm

      Never heard of this before, but it sounds like a wonderful and hearty dish! Sounds like my kind of chili.

      Reply
    9. Ramona

      October 05, 2020 at 4:38 pm

      5 stars
      This was such a delicious recipe packed with amazing flavours! I especially love the different kinds of dried chilies that you showed, I love chilies! thank you for sharing this recipe.

      Reply
    10. Gail Montero

      October 05, 2020 at 10:25 am

      5 stars
      Looks so tasty and perfect dinner option for fall’s chilly nights! Adding this to our must-try list!

      Reply
    11. Kushigalu

      October 05, 2020 at 9:11 am

      5 stars
      This was such a delicious recipe packed full of flavors. Love all the tips shared. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    12. Kerri

      October 05, 2020 at 8:10 am

      Oh Chef! This looks delightful! Packed with so much flavor! My family are BIG fans!

      Reply
    13. Daniela

      October 05, 2020 at 2:31 am

      5 stars
      Love all the info about the different kind of dried chilies and your in process shots made following the recipe so easy! It was delish :).

      Reply
    14. Gunjan

      October 04, 2020 at 7:31 pm

      My brother is making this tonight. So far the aroma is absolutely appetizing. Will update you once it’s ready.

      Reply
      • Martha Clyatt

        October 08, 2022 at 11:19 am

        Looking for pepper flavor with low heat scale- sounds good what peppers would give flavor without the heat?

        Reply
        • Chef Dennis Littley

          October 08, 2022 at 7:14 pm

          The peppers I use in the recipe are low heat, and I also have other peppers listed in the post with a description.

    15. Sam

      October 04, 2020 at 7:06 pm

      5 stars
      Yum!! This beef chili colorado was so cozy and comforting. Just what I was looking for in this cooler weather. Love the flavours in there.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    pinterest image for beef chili colorado


    My name is Dennis Littley or “Chef Dennis” as I’m known both at work and across the blogosphere. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

    More about me →

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Fan Favorites

    • loaf of homemade artisan bread on a wooden cutting board
      Almost No-Knead Artisan Bread Recipe
    • 2 Maryland crab cakes on a white plate
      Jumbo Lump Maryland Crab Cakes
    • chicken parm with pasta on a white plate
      Chicken Parmesan Recipe
    • seasoned crispy chicken legs on a foil wrapped tray
      Best Baked Chicken Legs {Drumsticks}
    • side view of slice of bee sting cake being taken out of full cake
      German Bee Sting Cake (Bienenstich) Recipe
    • Tiramisu with a fork on a white plate
      Best Tiramisu Recipe {step by step}
    • overhead view of barbecued half racks of baby back ribs on a white platter
      Easy Oven Baked Baby Back Ribs
    • overhead view of veal parm and linguine on a white plate
      Restaurant Style Veal Parm Recipe

    Featured In

    Collage showing where Ask Chef Dennis has been featured.

    Popular Posts

    • crispy seasoned chicken leg quarters on a white platter
      Best Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
    • cropped-Gunniess-Beef-Stew-13.jpg
      Authentic Guinness Beef Stew Recipe
    • overhead shot of baked crab imperial on a white plate with sauteed greens and roasted potatoes
      Maryland Style Jumbo Lump Crab Imperial
    • close up of half a chicken salad sandwich on a white plate
      Best Chicken Salad – Deli Style
    • oysters rockefeller with a slice of lemon on a bed of rock salt on a white platter
      How to Make Restaurant Style Oysters Rockefeller
    • sliced dry rub roasted brisket with cilantro and tomatoes on on a white platter
      Easy Oven Baked Beef Brisket Recipe
    • rack of pork with end cut off
      Oven Roasted Rack of Pork {Pork Rib Roast}
    • sliced meatloaf with the rest of meatloaf on a white platter
      Classic Meatloaf Recipe with Zesty Glaze

    Footer

    pinterest image for beef chili colorado

    ↑ back to top

    INFO

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    SUBSCRIBE

    Sign Up Today and start getting my easy-to-make restaurant-quality recipes!

    CONTACT

    • About
    • Contact
    © 2009-2023 · Ask Chef Dennis ·

    Proud Member of:
    Mediavine Publisher Network
    799 shares
    • 303