La Cocina Chili Colorado

La Cocina Chili Colorado con Carne is a hearty dish made with red chili powder and ground beef.

La Cocina is located in Taos, New Mexico. This recipe is from their book: Taos Recipe

This is a red sauce spicy chili that is made in a restaurant in Taos, New Mexico called La Cocina. The chili colorado sauce has a tangy yet spicy flavor paired with chunks of ground beef.            

Why Is it called Chili Colorado?

While colorado is definitely not located in Mexico or New Mexico, then where does the name colorado come from? 

Apparently, in Spanish, the word colorado can be translated to mean “red” as well. So since the sauce for this chili is a red sauce, they used the word colorado instead. 

This recipe also comes from La Cocina in New Mexico so that is also where I got the same for this chili colorado beef recipe.

What Do You Need for Chili Colorado con Carne?

This colorado chili recipe does not stray too much from a traditional American chili in terms of most of its ingredients. 

Here is a list of everything you will need for this chili colorado con carne recipe: 

• Ground beef
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Caraway seeds
• Red chili powder
• Paprika
• Water
• Tomato sauce

The only ingredient that might stand out in this recipe is the caraway seeds. If you do not already have it in your pantry you can get caraway seeds HERE!

How to Make This Chili Colorado Beef Recipe

You will need to brown the meat in a large skillet. Once that is done, drain the grease from the pan. Then add in all of the spices to the pan and mix them into the beef. 

Next, add in the tomato sauce and water and mix it well. Once you are done with that, then just let it simmer together for the flavors to come together. 

Is Red Chili Sauce and Red Enchilada Sauce the Same Thing?

In short, yes it is! In New Mexico they either call it red chili sauce or red sauce. However, in the store you will find it as red enchilada sauce. 

So, when you go to the grocery store, look for enchilada sauce, it will be easier to find. 🙂 

How Can I Make the Chili Hotter or More Mild?

There are two different ways you can adjust the heat for this recipe. 

1. Paprika
   Paprika is a heat agent in this recipe. By adding more paprika you will increase the heat of the recipe. By adding less paprika the chili colorado recipe will be more mild.
   
2. Red chili powder
   Chili powder is known for adding heat to recipes. By adding extra chili powder you will be able to make the chili hotter. If you add less chili powder you can make the recipe more mild.
   

While both of these ways will work, adjusting the chili powder is normally the best way to get the desired spiciness for this chili colorado. 

Can You Add Beans to Colorado Chili?

You definitely can add beans to colorado chili! Some of my favorites to add to chili are kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, and chickpeas!

What is the Best Cut of Beef for Chili Colorado con Carne?

Depending on how you want the recipe to turn out, I use two types of meat. 

If you are wanting this recipe to be more like a true chili recipe, ground beef will work perfectly. 

However, if you want this to have more of a stew-like consistency, I would use a chuck roast. You can cut it up into little chunks or buy the precut stew beef chunks. 

How To Serve Chili Colorado Con Carne

You can serve this delicious colorado chili with some spanish rice or on its own like a traditional chili. 

If you choose to do it on its own, then you can also use sour cream, cheese, cilantro and more as toppings!

Colorado Chili Storage Tips

This recipe will last for about 5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. If you’d like to freeze it, make sure that the food cools down completely and then pop the airtight and freezer-safe container in the freezer and it will last wonderfully for up to 3 months. 

Ingredients for Chili Colorado con Carne

Here’s a list of what you need:

• Ground beef
• Salt
• Garlic powder
• Cumin
• Caraway seeds
• Red chili powder
• Paprika
• Water
• Tomato sauce

How to Make a Chili Colorado Beef Recipe

1. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Drain off the fat and return the beef to skillet.
   
3. Add the remaining ingredients.
   
4. Stir to thoroughly combine.
5. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve with flour tortillas and any toppings you enjoy on chili.

Love Chili? Try these recipes!

• Basic Chili Recipe
• Chili Cheese Burrito
• Chili con Queso Recipe
• Pork Chile Verde
• Sonic Chili Cheese Tots
• Steak N Shake Chili
• Weight Watchers Chicken Chili

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Check out more of my easy chili and soup recipes and the best ground beef recipes here on CopyKat!