Slow Cooker Chile Colorado Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Chili Colorado is a rich, flavorful beef stew featuring a deeply spiced red chile sauce made from dried guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles. This authentic dish delivers tender meat and a smooth, vibrant sauce, perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.

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 black pepper, freshly ground preferred
• 2 bay leaves

Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring the beef broth to a boil in a pot, then add all dried chiles (guajillo, ancho, and arbol). Remove from heat and let the chiles steep for 10–15 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Remove the softened chiles with a slotted spoon, discard stems and seeds. Add chiles, soaked broth, chopped onion, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon salt to a blender. Blend until smooth, about 2–3 minutes.
3. Step 3: Pour the sauce through a fine strainer into a bowl, pressing gently to extract liquid while leaving pulp behind for a silky texture.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, toss beef chunks with gluten-free flour, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to coat evenly.
5. Step 5: Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear beef in batches for 2–3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer browned beef to a plate.
6. Step 6: Transfer seared beef to a slow cooker. Pour strained chile sauce over the beef and stir well. Add bay leaves and combine.
7. Step 7: Cover and cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours, until the meat is tender and flavors meld.

Tips & Variations

• Use Mexican oregano for an authentic flavor, but regular oregano works in a pinch.
• Adjust the number of arbol chiles to control the heat level to your preference.
• For extra depth, add a splash of apple cider vinegar or lime juice just before serving.
• Serve with warm corn tortillas or over rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This chili also freezes well for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this chili without a slow cooker?

Yes, you can simmer the chili on the stove over low heat for 2–3 hours until the beef is tender, stirring occasionally.

How do I reduce the spiciness if I’m sensitive to heat?

Remove the arbol chiles or reduce their quantity. You can also serve the chili with sour cream or cheese to balance the heat.

Slow Cooker Chile Colorado Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 107 reviews

This Slow Cooker Chili Colorado recipe features tender beef stew meat simmered in an authentic, deeply flavorful red chile sauce made from dried guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles. The sauce is carefully blended and strained for a smooth texture, then slow-cooked with bay leaves to create a rich and comforting meal inspired by traditional Mexican flavors.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours (High) or 8 hours (Low)
• Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes (High) or 8 hours 20 minutes (Low)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• 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 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 the Chiles: Bring the beef broth to a boil in a pot, then add the dried guajillo, ancho, and arbol chiles. Remove from heat and let them steep for 10-15 minutes until softened and flavorful. This step extracts the deep, complex flavors essential for authentic chili colorado.
2. Prepare the Chile Sauce: Remove the softened chiles from the broth with a slotted spoon, discard stems and seeds. Combine the chiles, soaked broth, chopped onion, oregano, cumin, garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon sea salt in a blender. Blend on high for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth. Strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove pulp for a silky texture.
3. Coat and Sear the Beef: Toss beef chunks with gluten-free flour, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and freshly ground black pepper until evenly coated. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. In batches, sear beef for 2-3 minutes per side until deeply browned. Transfer browned beef to a plate to rest.
4. Combine in Slow Cooker: Place the seared beef into the slow cooker. Pour the strained chile sauce over the beef and stir well to coat. Add the bay leaves and give a final stir.
5. Slow Cook: Cover and cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours. This slow, gentle cooking tenderizes the meat and melds the rich flavors beautifully. Low setting is preferred when time allows for maximum tenderness and spice depth.

Notes

• Soaking and blending the chiles thoroughly is crucial to achieve the authentic flavor and smooth texture of chili colorado.
• Straining the sauce removes pulp, resulting in a silky, traditional consistency.
• Browning the beef before slow cooking adds essential rich umami flavor thanks to the Maillard reaction.
• Use avocado or a neutral oil for searing to avoid overpowering the chile flavors.
• The recipe is gluten-free when using gluten-free all-purpose flour.
• Adjust the number of arbol chiles for preferred heat level.
• Cooking on low gives the best depth of flavor and tenderness, but high setting is a good quicker option.

Keywords: Slow Cooker Chili Colorado, Red Chile, Beef Stew, Mexican Chili, Gluten Free Chili, Authentic Chili Colorado