Name: Authentic Beef Chile Colorado
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Ingredients: 3 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes; 2 tsp kosher salt; 1 tsp ground black pepper; 2 tbsp flour; 1 tbsp neutral oil; 1 yellow onion, chopped; 3 garlic cloves; 6 guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed; 4 ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed; 3 chile de árbol, stems and seeds removed; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp ground coriander; 1 tsp dried Mexican oregano; 2½ cups beef broth; 2 fresh bay leaves; Warm corn tortillas for serving; Diced white onion for serving; Chopped cilantro for serving; Sliced radishes for serving; Lime wedges for serving

Description

Authentic Beef Chile Colorado is a classic dish that embodies the rich and bold flavors of Mexican cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

3 lbs beef chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp flour
1 tbsp neutral oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves
6 guajillo chiles, stems and seeds removed
4 ancho chiles, stems and seeds removed
3 chile de árbol, stems and seeds removed
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp dried Mexican oregano
2½ cups beef broth
2 fresh bay leaves
Warm corn tortillas for serving
Diced white onion for serving
Chopped cilantro for serving
Sliced radishes for serving
Lime wedges for serving

Instructions

Start by softening the dried chiles—this crucial step enhances their flavors. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the guajillo, ancho, and árbol chiles for about 2-3 minutes. You want to coax out their natural oils without burning them. Once fragrant, transfer the toasted chiles to a saucepan with chopped onion and garlic. Cover this mixture with water and simmer for approximately 10 minutes. The soaked chiles become pliable and ready to blend into a rich sauce.
After the chiles have softened, it’s time to create the sauce. Carefully transfer the softened chiles, garlic, and onion into a blender. Add 1 cup of the soaking liquid, ground cumin, ground coriander, dried oregano, and beef broth. Blend this mixture on high until it achieves a smooth consistency. Taste the sauce and adjust with kosher salt and ground black pepper to your liking—this sauce acts as the backbone of flavor for your beef.
Take your beef chunks and season them generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper. Next, dust each piece with flour, which helps to create a beautiful crust when searing. Heat the neutral oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. In batches, brown the beef chunks on all sides, ensuring they’re deep brown for the best flavor. Once browned, remove the beef and drain any excess oil from the pot to avoid an oily dish.
Returning the browned beef to the pot, pour in enough of the blended chile sauce until the beef is submerged. Toss in the fresh bay leaves for added aroma. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to low. Allow the beef to simmer gently for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. This slow cooking process allows the beef to tenderize and soak in all the flavors from the sauce, resulting in perfectly cooked, mouthwatering meat.

Notes

For the best flavor, allow the dish to sit in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. The flavors meld beautifully over time.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Dinner

Nutrition

Calories: 550 kcal
Sodium: 1200 mg
Protein: 40 g