Mmmm, the smell of beef, chiles, onions and garlic in the slow cooker... It gets even better when it comes out. You'll be counting the minutes! Serve this beef with some Sonora Tortillas, make it a taco night!
https://www.thespruceeats.com/authentic-mexican-beef-stew-2342653
Prepare the red chiles by cutting the tops off and removing the stem. We like to use scissors because the dried chiles can be tough. Then, cut a slit down the side of the chile to split it open. The majority of the seeds will shake right out. Use your fingers or a spoon to scrape any additional seeds off and pull off any dried veins.
Place the chilies in a bowl and cover it with hot water. They will need to soak 20 to 30 minutes depending on how thick they are. Use a spoon to occasionally push them under the water if they float too much. After you soak the chiles the water will be a brownish color like very diluted coffee. Depending on the chile, it may be bitter or it may have the flavor of the chiles in it, which may be similar in flavor to diluted coffee. If the water is bitter, discard it. If the water has a good flavor to it, you can use it in with the beef broth for extra flavor. Chop the chiles into fine bits. Use a food processor or blender if you want.
Cut the beef into 1-inch chunks. We find this easier if the meat is partially frozen or you can have your butcher do it.
Peel the onion and discard the papery outer skin. Chop or dice into fine 1/4 inch pieces or smaller.
Peel the garlic and crush it or chop it finely.
In a large pan, add the oil and begin to saute the onions for about a minute to soften them. Turn the heat to high and add the beef into the pot and turn the pieces often until all of the beef is browned and beginning to get a little crispy on the edges (it doesn't matter if it is cooked all the way through.) Add in the garlic and continue to cook the mixture for another minute. Transfer the cooked beef mixture to your slow cooker and add the beef broth.
Add the red chiles, bay leaves, thyme, cumin, and oregano. We start with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and add some later if needed. Turn the slow-cooker to low and let it cook for about 6 hours.
Taste the stew and add more salt or seasonings as necessary. Remove the bay leaves and discard them.
Serve the stew with fresh chopped onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and a stack of steaming hot tortillas. Serve each bowl with a lime wedge.
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare the red chiles by cutting the tops off and removing the stem. We like to use scissors because the dried chiles can be tough. Then, cut a slit down the side of the chile to split it open. The majority of the seeds will shake right out. Use your fingers or a spoon to scrape any additional seeds off and pull off any dried veins.
Place the chilies in a bowl and cover it with hot water. They will need to soak 20 to 30 minutes depending on how thick they are. Use a spoon to occasionally push them under the water if they float too much. After you soak the chiles the water will be a brownish color like very diluted coffee. Depending on the chile, it may be bitter or it may have the flavor of the chiles in it, which may be similar in flavor to diluted coffee. If the water is bitter, discard it. If the water has a good flavor to it, you can use it in with the beef broth for extra flavor. Chop the chiles into fine bits. Use a food processor or blender if you want.
Cut the beef into 1-inch chunks. We find this easier if the meat is partially frozen or you can have your butcher do it.
Peel the onion and discard the papery outer skin. Chop or dice into fine 1/4 inch pieces or smaller.
Peel the garlic and crush it or chop it finely.
In a large pan, add the oil and begin to saute the onions for about a minute to soften them. Turn the heat to high and add the beef into the pot and turn the pieces often until all of the beef is browned and beginning to get a little crispy on the edges (it doesn't matter if it is cooked all the way through.) Add in the garlic and continue to cook the mixture for another minute. Transfer the cooked beef mixture to your slow cooker and add the beef broth.
Add the red chiles, bay leaves, thyme, cumin, and oregano. We start with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and add some later if needed. Turn the slow-cooker to low and let it cook for about 6 hours.
Taste the stew and add more salt or seasonings as necessary. Remove the bay leaves and discard them.
Serve the stew with fresh chopped onion, chopped fresh cilantro, and a stack of steaming hot tortillas. Serve each bowl with a lime wedge.
Leave a Reply