Description
Chile Colorado Burritos are hearty and flavorful Mexican-style burritos filled with tender, slow-simmered beef in a rich red chile sauce. The beef stew meat is cooked until fork-tender in a blend of toasted guajillo and ancho chiles, garlic, and spices, then wrapped in warm flour tortillas and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a satisfying family meal or a festive gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef and Sauce
- 2 pounds beef stew meat (cut into 1-inch pieces)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 10 dried guajillo chiles (seeded and stemmed)
- 2 dried ancho chiles (seeded and stemmed)
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Burritos
- 6 large flour tortillas
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (like Monterey Jack or cheddar, optional)
Instructions
- Toast and Soften Chiles: In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast guajillo and ancho chiles until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and soak them in hot water for 20 minutes until softened.
- Prepare Chile Sauce: Drain the softened chiles and blend them with garlic, cumin, oregano, and 1/2 cup beef broth until smooth. Set aside.
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef pieces in batches, seasoning each batch with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Simmer Beef in Sauce: Return all browned beef to the pot and pour the chile sauce over it. Add more beef broth as needed to cover the meat. Cover and simmer on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and infused with the rich chile flavor.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish for assembling the burritos.
- Assemble Burritos: Spoon the tender beef and some sauce onto each large flour tortilla. Roll them up tightly and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. If using, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the burritos.
- Bake Burritos: Bake uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Serve: Serve the chile colorado burritos hot with extra sauce on the side. Complement with rice, beans, or guacamole for a complete meal.
Notes
- Toasting the chiles enhances their flavor and removes raw bitterness.
- Adjust the amount of broth in the sauce for desired consistency.
- Cheese is optional but adds a creamy texture to the burritos.
- These burritos can be made ahead and reheated; add fresh sauce to keep moist.
- Leftover chile sauce freezes well for future meals.
