Homemade Chili Verde 🌶️🔥
If you’re craving bold Mexican flavors with tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef, Chili Verde is a recipe you need in your kitchen. This dish, which translates to “green chili,” is a hearty, savory stew of beef simmered slowly in a rich, chile-tomato sauce. It’s smoky, spicy, and comforting—perfect for wrapping in a burrito, serving over rice, or scooping up with fresh tortillas.
This particular recipe has a touch of family tradition, passed down from a mother-in-law’s kitchen, making it not only delicious but also deeply authentic. The beauty of Chili Verde lies in its simplicity: a handful of fresh ingredients and a little patience transform into a dish bursting with flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tender & Flavorful Beef – Slow cooking makes every bite melt in your mouth.
- Bold, Authentic Flavors – A spicy blend of chiles, tomatoes, and garlic creates a rich sauce.
- Versatile Serving Options – Enjoy in burritos, over rice, with beans, or alongside warm tortillas.
- Simple Ingredients – Uses everyday staples and fresh peppers for incredible taste.
- Perfect for Leftovers – The flavors get even better the next day.
Ingredients
- ✔️ 2–3 lbs chuck roast, cut into bite-sized cubes
- ✔️ ½ onion, chopped
- ✔️ 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ✔️ Several spicy chiles (choose your favorite variety)
- ✔️ 4 serrano peppers, chopped
- ✔️ 2–3 tomatoes, chopped
- ✔️ 1 cup water
- ✔️ Adobo seasoning, to taste
- ✔️ Salt and pepper, to taste
- ✔️ Oil, for cooking
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep the Ingredients
- Cut the chuck roast into even, bite-sized cubes.
- Season the meat generously with salt, pepper, and adobo seasoning.
- Chop the onion, garlic, chiles, serrano peppers, and tomatoes.
2. Sear the Meat
- Heat a splash of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the cubed beef in batches and sear until golden brown on all sides.
- Remove the beef and set aside.
3. Cook the Vegetables
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the chopped chiles, serrano peppers, and tomatoes. Cook until the vegetables soften and release their juices.
4. Simmer the Chili Verde
- Return the browned beef to the pot.
- Add 1 cup of water and stir everything together.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and simmer gently for 1 ½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fork-tender and the sauce thickens.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Spice Level – Serrano peppers add plenty of heat, but you can adjust by mixing in milder chiles like Anaheim or poblano.
- Thicker Sauce – If you prefer a thicker stew, simmer uncovered for the last 20 minutes.
- Flavor Boost – Add a splash of beer or chicken broth instead of water for a deeper flavor profile.
- Pork Variation – Swap beef chuck for pork shoulder for a more traditional style of Chili Verde.
- Serving Ideas – Use it as a burrito filling, spoon it over steamed rice, or enjoy with beans and warm tortillas.
Important Notes
- Browning the meat first is key—it builds a rich, caramelized flavor base for the sauce.
- Use a heavy-bottomed pot like a Dutch oven to maintain steady heat.
- Taste the sauce before serving and adjust salt and spice to your liking.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approx. 1 cup)
- Calories: 330
- Protein: 28 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fat: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
(Values will vary depending on portion size and spice variety.)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I make Chili Verde ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, it tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Q2: What’s the best cut of beef for Chili Verde?
Chuck roast is ideal because it has enough marbling to stay juicy during slow cooking.
Q3: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely! Sear the beef and sauté vegetables first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
Q4: How spicy is this recipe?
It depends on your choice of chiles. Serranos bring significant heat, so swap in milder peppers if you prefer a less spicy dish.
✨ Rich, hearty, and perfectly spiced, this Homemade Chili Verde is the kind of dish that brings warmth to the table. Whether wrapped in a burrito, spooned over rice, or enjoyed with fresh tortillas, it’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.