Crockpot Chili Colorado (Printable Version)

Tender beef in a rich red chili sauce, slow-cooked with dried peppers and warm spices for an authentic Mexican stew.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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

# Directions:

01 - Place dried guajillo and ancho chiles in a heatproof bowl. Pour 2 cups hot water over them and let soak for 15 minutes until softened.
02 - Drain soaked chiles and transfer to 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 very tender and falling apart.
05 - Taste 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 Tips:

01 -
  • The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you go about your day
  • Dried chiles create a depth of flavor you cannot get from chili powder alone
  • It freezes beautifully so you can always have a comforting meal ready
02 -
  • Strain the sauce after blending if you want an absolutely silky texture
  • The sauce will look quite thin at first but thickens beautifully as it cooks
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid too often as it lets heat escape
03 -
  • Add 1 or 2 dried arbol chiles to the sauce if you want more heat
  • Use this as a filling for tacos or burritos for an entirely different meal

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