QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST STEAK CHILI EVER - CHILI COLORADO
QUITE POSSIBLY THE BEST STEAK CHILI EVER - CHILI COLORADO is a medium Mexican recipe that serves 8. 380 calories per serving. Recipe by SAM THE COOKING GUY on YouTube.
Prep: 50 min | Cook: 2 hrs 56 min | Total: 4 hrs 16 min
Cost: $25.03 total, $3.13 per serving
Ingredients
- 3.5 lb Beef Chuck (trimmed of excess fat, cut into 1‑inch cubes)
- 4 pieces Guajillo Chili (dried) (stem removed, seeds removed)
- 4 pieces New Mexican Hatch Chili (dried) (stem removed, seeds removed (optional for heat))
- 2 pieces Pasilla Chili (dried) (stem removed, seeds removed)
- 4 cup Beef Broth (low‑sodium preferred; 2 cups for blending, 2 cups for pot)
- 3 tbsp Avocado Oil (high smoke point, for searing and rice)
- 2 tsp Kosher Salt (to taste)
- 1 tsp Black Pepper (freshly ground)
- 2 tbsp All-Purpose Flour (for coating beef, helps thicken chili)
- 4 pieces Whole Peeled Tomatoes (canned 14‑oz each; can use fresh peeled tomatoes)
- 1.5 medium Yellow Onion (diced; half used for chili, half for rice)
- 5 clove Garlic (large, minced)
- 1 tbsp Ground Cumin (for chili; additional 1 tsp used in rice)
- 2 tbsp Dried Oregano (Mexican oregano preferred; additional 1 tsp used in rice)
- 0.5 cup Tomato Sauce (adds richness)
- 1.75 cup Chicken Broth (for cooking rice)
- 1 cup Long Grain White Rice (rinsed before cooking)
- 8 pieces Hatch Chili Tortillas (store‑bought, warmed or grilled)
- 0.25 cup Fresh Cilantro (chopped, for garnish)
- 2 stalks Green Onion (sliced, for garnish)
Instructions
Remove stems and seeds from dried chilies
Trim the stems off the guajillos, Hatch chilies, and pasillas. Slice each chili open and scrape out the seeds. Discard the seeds if you prefer a milder heat.
Time: PT10M
Soak chilies in broth
Place the cleaned chilies in a heat‑proof bowl and cover with 2 cups of hot beef broth. Let them soften for about 20 minutes.
Time: PT20M
Blend softened chilies
Transfer the softened chilies and the soaking broth to a blender. Blend until smooth, adding a splash of extra broth if needed to achieve a pourable consistency.
Time: PT5M
Cube the beef
Trim excess fat from the chuck roast and cut the meat into uniform 1‑inch cubes.
Time: PT10M
Season and coat beef
Place the beef cubes in a bowl, sprinkle with kosher salt, black pepper, and toss with the 2 tbsp of all‑purpose flour until lightly coated.
Time: PT5M
Sear the beef
Heat the cast‑iron skillet over medium‑high heat, add 1 tbsp avocado oil, and sear the beef in batches until a deep brown crust forms on all sides. Transfer seared pieces to a plate.
Time: PT15M
Temperature: 400°F
Char the tomatoes
In the same skillet, add the whole peeled tomatoes and let them sit undisturbed until the skins blister and develop a light char, turning once.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 400°F
Sauté onion and garlic
Add another splash of avocado oil if needed, then add half of the diced yellow onion. Cook until translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: Medium
Toast the spices
Stir in 1 tbsp ground cumin and 2 tbsp dried oregano, cooking for about 30 seconds until aromatic.
Time: PT1M
Temperature: Medium
Combine all chili components
Return the seared beef, blended chilies, charred tomatoes, and any accumulated juices to the large pot. Add the remaining 2 cups beef broth, a pinch of salt and pepper, and stir to combine.
Time: PT5M
Simmer the chili
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a low simmer, cover, and cook for 1 hour 45 minutes, or until the beef is fork‑tender.
Time: PT1H45M
Temperature: Low simmer
Prepare Mexican rice – toast rice
While the chili simmers, heat a clean skillet with 1 tbsp avocado oil over medium heat. Add the remaining half of the diced onion and sauté until softened. Add 1 cup long‑grain rice and toast, stirring, until the rice turns light golden, about 3‑4 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Temperature: Medium
Season and add liquids to rice
Stir in 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp dried oregano, a pinch of salt, ½ cup tomato sauce, and 1 ¾ cup chicken broth. Mix well.
Time: PT2M
Cook the rice
Bring the rice mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15‑18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Time: PT18M
Temperature: Low simmer
Finish the chili
Remove the chili pot from heat. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or additional heat with extra chopped chilies if desired.
Time: PT5M
Serve
Ladle generous portions of chili over a bed of Mexican rice. Garnish with chopped cilantro, sliced green onion, and a warm Hatch‑flavored tortilla on the side.
Time: PT5M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 380
- Protein
- 30g
- Carbohydrates
- 35g
- Fat
- 14g
- Fiber
- 6g
Dietary info: Contains Gluten, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, High Protein
Allergens: Wheat
Last updated: March 14, 2026








