Chile Colorado (Red Chile Stew)

Here’s a solid, traditional-ish Chile Colorado with refried pinto beans and Mexican rice—the kind of meal that smells amazing before it even hits the table.

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Chile Colorado (Red Chile Stew)

Ingredients

• 2½–3 lb beef chuck, cut into large chunks

• 6–8 dried guajillo chiles

• 2 dried ancho chiles (optional but great)

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 4 cloves garlic

• 1 tsp cumin

• 1 tsp Mexican oregano

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Salt, to taste

• 2 Tbsp oil

• 2–3 cups beef broth or water

Instructions

1. Toast chiles lightly in a dry skillet (10–15 sec per side). Don’t burn.

2. Soak chiles in hot water for 20–30 minutes until soft.

3. Blend sauce: Drain chiles and blend with garlic, cumin, oregano, pepper, and a bit of soaking liquid until very smooth.

4. Brown beef in oil in a heavy pot. Season lightly with salt.

5. Add sauce and enough broth to just cover the meat.

6. Simmer low & slow, covered, for 1½–2 hours, until beef is fork-tender and sauce thickens.

7. Taste and adjust salt. The sauce should be deep red, rich, and not watery.

🔥 Tip: If you want ultra-smooth sauce, strain it before adding to the beef.

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Refried Pinto Beans

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked pinto beans (with some liquid)

• 2 Tbsp lard or oil

• ¼ small onion, finely chopped

• Salt

Instructions

1. Heat fat, sauté onion until soft.

2. Add beans and some liquid.

3. Mash while simmering until creamy.

4. Salt to taste. Add more liquid if needed.

✨ Optional: garlic, cumin, or a little chile colorado sauce stirred in.

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Mexican Rice (Arroz Rojo)

Ingredients

• 1 cup long-grain white rice

• 2 Tbsp oil

• ½ cup tomato sauce or blended tomato

• ¼ small onion, minced

• 1 clove garlic

• 2 cups chicken broth

• Salt

Instructions

1. Rinse rice until water runs mostly clear.

2. Fry rice in oil until golden and nutty.

3. Add onion & garlic; cook 30 seconds.

4. Stir in tomato sauce, broth, and salt.

5. Bring to boil, cover, reduce to low.

6. Cook 15–18 minutes, rest 5, fluff.

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How to Serve

• Chile Colorado over rice

• Beans on the side

• Warm tortillas (mandatory energy)

• Optional toppers: chopped onion, cilantro, squeeze of lime

If you want:

• slow cooker / Instant Pot version

• pork instead of beef

• or a weeknight shortcut

say the word 🌮