Crockpot Chili Colorado (Printable Version)
Rich Mexican beef stew slow-cooked in a flavorful red chili sauce made from dried guajillo and ancho peppers.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
→ Chiles and Sauce
02 - 4 dried guajillo chiles, stemmed and seeded
03 - 2 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
04 - 2 cups beef broth
05 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
06 - 4 cloves garlic, peeled
07 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
→ For Serving
13 - Chopped fresh cilantro
14 - Diced white onion
15 - Lime wedges
16 - Warm corn tortillas or rice
# How to Make It:
01 - Place the dried guajillo and ancho chiles in a heatproof bowl. Pour 2 cups of hot water over them and let soak for 15 minutes until softened.
02 - Drain chiles and transfer to a blender. Add beef broth, onion, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, pepper, and salt. Blend until completely smooth.
03 - Place beef cubes in the crockpot. Pour the blended chili sauce over the beef and stir thoroughly to coat all pieces evenly.
04 - Cover and cook on low setting for 6-7 hours, or on high for 4 hours, until beef is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.
05 - Taste the stew and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, diced onion, and lime wedges, alongside warm corn tortillas or rice.
# Expert Insights:
01 -
- The beef becomes impossibly tender, melting apart with just a fork after hours of slow cooking magic
- That homemade red chili sauce puts restaurant versions to shame while being surprisingly simple
02 -
- Straining the sauce after blending makes an incredibly smooth texture, but I often skip this step when I want a more rustic feel
- The beef needs to be cut into uniform cubes so everything cooks at the same rate
03 -
- Pork shoulder works beautifully as a substitute if you prefer a slightly sweeter flavor profile
- Use an immersion blender directly in the crockpot for an even easier one pot cleanup