Slow Cooker Chile Colorado Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Chili Colorado is a rich, flavorful stew featuring tender beef simmered in a deeply spiced red chile sauce. This authentic dish highlights traditional dried chilies and slow cooking to create a comforting meal perfect for any day.

Ingredients

• For the chile sauce:
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 6 dried guajillo chiles
• 2 dried ancho chiles
• 2 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 2 dried arbol chiles
• For the beef:
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp avocado oil (or neutral oil like canola)
• 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 3 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring the beef broth to a boil in a pot, then add the dried guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles. Remove from heat and let the chilies steep for 10-15 minutes until softened and flavorful.
2. Step 2: Remove the softened chilies with a slotted spoon, discard stems and seeds. Combine the chilies, soaked broth, chopped onion, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt in a blender. Blend on high until smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Strain the sauce through a fine sieve, pressing to extract liquid while leaving pulp behind.
3. Step 3: In a bowl, toss the beef stew meat with the gluten-free flour, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper until evenly coated. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
4. Step 4: Working in batches, sear the coated beef for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer browned beef to a plate as each batch finishes.
5. Step 5: Place the seared beef into the slow cooker. Pour the strained chile sauce over the beef and stir to combine. Add bay leaves and stir again. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours until meat is tender and flavors meld.

Tips & Variations

• Soak chilies longer for a richer sauce and easier blending.
• Use Mexican oregano for a more authentic flavor, but regular oregano works if unavailable.
• For extra heat, add more arbol chiles or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• Try swapping beef stew meat for pork shoulder for a different twist.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. For longer storage, freeze the chili in portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the chile sauce without a blender?

While blending creates the smooth, silky texture typical of chili Colorado, you can finely chop the softened chilies and ingredients and simmer longer to meld flavors, though the sauce texture will be more rustic.

What if I can’t find guajillo or ancho chilies?

These dried chilies provide essential flavor, but in a pinch, you can substitute with pasilla or New Mexico dried chilies. The flavor will vary slightly but remain delicious.

Slow Cooker Chile Colorado Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 55 reviews

Slow Cooker Chili Colorado is a rich and authentic Mexican dish featuring tender beef stew meat simmered in a flavorful homemade chile sauce made from guajillo, ancho, and arbol chilies. Slow-cooked to perfection, this hearty chili bursts with deep, complex flavors and a smooth, silky texture, perfect for an indulgent and comforting meal.

• Author: Stella
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours (low) or 4 hours (high)
• Total Time: 8 hours 20 minutes (using low setting)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Mexican
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chile Sauce:

• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 6 dried guajillo chiles
• 2 dried ancho chiles
• 2 tsp dried oregano (Mexican oregano preferred)
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 small yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 2 dried arbol chiles

For the Beef:

• 1 tsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp avocado oil (or any neutral oil like canola)
• 1/4 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour
• 3 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground preferred
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Hydrate Chilies: Bring the beef broth to a boil in a pot, then add all dried chilies (guajillo, ancho, and arbol). Remove from heat and let the chilies steep for 10-15 minutes until they soften and absorb the broth flavor.
2. Prepare Chile Sauce: Remove the softened chilies from the broth with a slotted spoon and discard the stems and seeds. Add the chilies, soaked broth, roughly chopped onion, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon of salt to a blender. Blend on high until completely smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Pour the sauce through a fine strainer into a bowl, pressing gently with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible while leaving the pulp behind.
3. Coat and Sear Beef: Toss the beef stew meat chunks with the gluten-free flour, remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl until evenly coated. Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Working in batches to avoid crowding the pan, sear the beef for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned on the exterior. Transfer each batch to a plate as it finishes browning.
4. Combine and Slow Cook: Transfer the seared beef to your slow cooker. Pour the strained chile sauce over the beef and stir well to combine. Add the bay leaves and give everything a final stir. Cover and cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours until the meat is tender and flavors meld beautifully.

Notes

• Soaking the chilies in broth extracts deeper flavor and softens them for blending.
• Straining the chile sauce removes pulp for a silkier texture, authentic to traditional chili colorado.
• Browning the beef before slow cooking enhances flavor through the Maillard reaction.
• Slow cooking on Low for 8 hours yields more tender meat and richer flavor compared to High setting.
• Use gluten-free flour to keep the recipe gluten-free and accommodate dietary needs.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Chili Colorado, Chile Colorado recipe, authentic Mexican chili, slow-cooked beef chili, gluten-free chili