The Traditional Mexican Twist For Beef Stew That's Twice As Comforting And Warm

There's nothing wrong with an old-fashioned beef stew, but you shouldn't overlook the countless variations that exist across many culinary cultures. "Chile Colorado," in particular, is a Mexican twist on beef stew that you'll find twice as comforting and warm as its less flavorful competitors. First things first: Chile Colorado has nothing to do with the Centennial State. In Spanish, the word "colorado" means "colored red." In this context, the word refers to the deep, rich hue of the sauce in which the beef is simmered.

You may be more familiar with the types of chili that evolved from the Tex-Mex culinary tradition, which made chili a staple meal for cowboys on the Old West trail. Chile Colorado, by contrast, is a Mexican dish, originating in the country's northern states. Like all the best stews, this "red chili" is classic comfort food, and balances richness, spiciness, and savory meat.

What differentiates this stew most from similar dishes like Irish stew or beef bourguignon is its inclusion of chile peppers, often in their dried form. Chiles can be key to unlocking both welcome heat and a depth of flavor in a range of slow-cooked meat recipes, from American-style goulash to Mississippi roast. In this dish, they take center-stage. In many recipes, dried chilis will be rehydrated and blended before being added to a sauce that may include broth, tomatoes, and numerous bold spices and seasonings. As the beef slowly cooks in the sauce, it will be infused with flavor and finally become quite tender.

For a full guide to making this stew, you can always consult our own Chile Colorado recipe, but there are a few tips worth bearing in mind while preparing this dish. The impact of the dried chili peppers you use should not be underestimated, so be careful when making your choice. Among those recommended for Chile Colorado are guajillo, ancho, pasilla, and chiles de arbol. For a more complex flavor, you can always use a combination of different chilis.

Try to pick up the best quality peppers you can. You'll likely find a variety of different types available at chains like Walmart, but if you're fortunate enough to live near a good Mexican or Latin American market, check there to see what they have on offer. Before you get started, remember to remove the seeds from your dried chilis for optimal flavor.

Should you not be in the mood for beef, you can find recipe variations out there that use pork instead. If you'd like to bulk up this already hearty stew even more, consider adding potatoes or some frozen vegetables, such as peas or carrots. Once cooked, you really don't need any more than a bowl and a spoon to enjoy this hearty meal, but complementary accompaniments include flour tortillas, traditional Mexican rice, and, of course, refried beans.