Best 4 Zesty Colorado Chili Recipes

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**Savor the Bold Flavors of Colorado Chili: A Culinary Journey through the Heart of the Rockies**

In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, where the air is crisp and the spirit of adventure runs deep, lies a culinary gem that embodies the essence of the Wild West: Colorado chili. This hearty and flavorful dish, rooted in the rich heritage of the American Southwest, is a symphony of bold flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Prepare to embark on a culinary journey through the heart of Colorado as we explore the secrets behind this iconic dish, featuring three distinct recipes that showcase its versatility and unique charm. From the classic beef chili, brimming with succulent chunks of tender meat and a medley of spices, to the vegetarian chili, a vibrant tapestry of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, and the tantalizing green chili, a Colorado specialty that packs a delightful spicy punch, these recipes offer a taste of the Centennial State's culinary heritage. Whether you're a seasoned chili aficionado or a newcomer to this beloved dish, let these recipes guide you on a culinary adventure that will leave you utterly satisfied and craving more.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

CHILI COLORADO - RECIPE



Chili Colorado - Recipe image

Chili Colorado is a traditional Mexican recipe of pork or beef stewed nice and slow in a rich red chili sauce, hence the name "colorado", which means "colored red", not from the state of Colorado.

Provided by Mike Hultquist

Categories     Main Course

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 14

6 ancho chili peppers (stemmed and seeded)
6 guajillo peppers (stemmed and seeded)
3 chiles de arbol (stemmed and seeded)
1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
½ teaspoon cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion (chopped)
2 jalapeno peppers (chopped (optional - I like the extra heat and flavor))
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
2 pounds beef chuck roast (cubed (1/2 cubes))
¼ cup flour
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups beef stock (chicken or vegetable stock are good, too)

Steps:

  • Make the sauce first by dry toasting the dried peppers in pan about a minute per side, until the skins blister a bit.
  • Set them into a bowl and cover with hot water for 20 minutes, until they are very soft.
  • Transfer the peppers to a blender with oregano, cumin, a bit of salt and pepper, and 1 cup of the soaking water. Blend until nice and smooth.
  • Strain the sauce and set aside.
  • Heat a large pot to medium heat and add the olive oil.
  • Add the onion and peppers and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  • Toss the cubed chuck roast in the flour with a bit of salt and pepper to coat them.
  • Add the garlic and coated beef to the pan. Brown the beef on all sides, about 5 minutes or so.
  • Add the red sauce and stock and bring to a quick boil.
  • Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors develop. Longer is better.
  • If you'd like to thicken the chili, remove the cover and increase the heat. Cook until the moisture cooks out and your preferred thickness is achieved.
  • Serve!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 344 kcal, Carbohydrate 25 g, Protein 26 g, Fat 16 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 78 mg, Sodium 238 mg, Fiber 8 g, Sugar 13 g, ServingSize 1 serving

ZESTY STEAK CHILI



Zesty Steak Chili image

This full-flavored, medium-hot, Texas-style chili tastes even better the second day. -Michelle Smith, Running Springs, California

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 2h40m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 pounds beef top round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup canola oil
3 cups chopped onion
2-3/4 cups water, divided
2 cups sliced celery
3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 cans (15 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 jar (16 ounces) salsa
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt, optional
1 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
Shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, sliced green onions and sliced ripe olives, optional

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, saute steak and garlic in oil until browned. Add onion; cook and stir for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 cups water and next nine ingredients; bring to a boil. , Reduce heat; cover and simmer 2 hours or until tender. Combine flour, cornmeal and remaining water; stir until smooth. Bring chili to a boil. Add flour mixture; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. If desired, garnish with reduced-fat cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, onions and olives.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 200 calories, Fat 6g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 51mg cholesterol, Sodium 247mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

COLORADO BUFFALO CHILI



Colorado Buffalo Chili image

This spicy chili recipe uses ground buffalo. To step up the heat, use different peppers and experiment with the seasonings. This gets even better if you let it sit overnight. The chili is so good you'll need to find another way to use up your cheese and crackers.

Provided by Cornpop

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes

Time 8h40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound ground buffalo
½ teaspoon ground cumin
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 (10.75 ounce) can tomato soup
1 (14.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (15 ounce) can chili beans, drained
½ medium onion, chopped
½ teaspoon minced garlic
1 Anaheim chile pepper, chopped
1 poblano chile pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Brown the buffalo in a skillet over medium heat; season with 1/2 teaspoon cumin and 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste. Drain excess grease.
  • Combine the buffalo, tomatoes with green chiles, tomato soup, kidney beans, chili beans, onion, garlic, Anaheim chile pepper, poblano chile pepper, chili powder, red pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low overnight or 8 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 218.8 calories, Carbohydrate 29.8 g, Cholesterol 39 mg, Fat 2.8 g, Fiber 9.9 g, Protein 22.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.6 g, Sodium 725.5 mg, Sugar 3.8 g

BEEF CHILE COLORADO



Beef Chile Colorado image

Don't think because you hear the word Chile that it's got to be hot. It's all about picking the right chile for the right dish. Of course, you can always dial up the heat, but if you're looking for the earthy rich flavor that only chilis can give a dish, then my Beef Chile Colorado is just what you're looking for.

Provided by Chef Dennis Littley

Categories     Entree

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 dried Guajillo chiles (stems removed and seeded)
3 dried Ancho chiles (stems removed and seeded)
2 New Mexico chiles (or pasilla) (stems removed and seeded)
2 tablespoons olive oil
½ sweet Vidalia onion (chopped)
3 clove garlic (finely chopped)
3 cups beef broth (1 cup reserved (chicken or vegetable broth can be substituted))
3 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon sea salt (or more to taste)
1½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup fire-roasted tomato
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 pounds beef chuck ( cut into 1 inch squares)
1 tablespoon masa harina

Steps:

  • In a large sauté pan or wide bottom pot, toast the chiles over medium heat for 1-2 minutes to bring out the flavor of the peppers. Remove from the pan until needed.
  • Add olive oil to the hot pan and sauté the onions for 2-3 minutes then add in the garlic and continue to sauté for 1 minute.
  • Add the toasted chiles, fire-roasted tomatoes, seasonings and beef stock to the pan.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Turn off heat, cover the pot and let it steep for 45 minutes.
  • Reserve one cup of the stock. Add the remainder of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth at the highest setting. Add additional liquid if the mixture is too thick for your blender. Reserve the remainder of the liquid till needed.**Depending on the power of the blender it may completely puree all the ingredients. If it has bits and pieces remaining, run the sauce through a sieve to take out and pieces that didn't get pureed.
  • Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil and half of the meat and brown on all sides so they have a good sear, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the browned beef into a bowl and repeat the process with the remaining uncooked meat.
  • When all the beef has browned, return all the meat to the pot. Add in the red chile sauce, and reserved beef broth. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a boil. Once the mixture has begun to boil, reduce the heat to simmer. Cover the pot and continue to simmer for 2 hours.
  • Uncover, taste and reseason as necessary.
  • Mix the masa harina with 2 tablespoons of the broth from the pot to make a slurry. Add the slurry back into the pot and mix well.
  • Raise to medium heat and cook for another 15 to 30 minutes, until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. If you prefer a thicker sauce, cook longer.
  • Serve with rice, tortillas and beans and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 589 kcal, Carbohydrate 9 g, Protein 47 g, Fat 41 g, SaturatedFat 14 g, Cholesterol 156 mg, Sodium 1540 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 3 g, ServingSize 1 serving

Tips:

  • Use a variety of beans. This will give your chili a more complex flavor and texture. Some good options include pinto beans, black beans, kidney beans, and navy beans.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices. Chili is a great dish to experiment with different flavors. Some good options include cumin, chili powder, oregano, and garlic powder.
  • Let your chili simmer for a while. This will help the flavors to develop and deepen. The longer you simmer your chili, the better it will taste.
  • Serve your chili with your favorite toppings. Some good options include shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, and diced tomatoes.

Conclusion:

This authentic Colorado Chili recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a delicious and satisfying meal, give this recipe a try.

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