A Southwest Favorite: Green Chile Beef

From the cool high desert to the sweltering Sonoran plains, Southwesterners adore the bold, spicy flavors of their favorite cuisine. This Green Chile Beef recipe captures the essence of the traditional flavors so beloved by the region, complemented with a fragrant, savory blend of spices. For those who love a kick, this recipe packs a punch, without overpowering the complex richness of the flavor.

Experience the Flavor & Heat

This dish is a great example of New Mexico’s signature combination of chiles and beef. The beef is simmered in a flavorful sauce made with a tantalizing combination of green chiles, garlic, cumin, oregano and onions. The beef is tender, savory, and flavored with all the spices in the sauce. The chile mixture, thickened with masa (corn flour) adds a spark of heat and a pleasant depth of flavor that keeps it from being too overpowering.

Make It Your Own

Green chile beef can easily be adapted to suit different tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer your recipes to be mild or wild, you can customize the spice level. If you like a lot of heat, mix some extra green chiles into the sauce or add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne to kick it up a notch. To add a new dimension of flavor, try adding diced jalapeños.

Green chile beef is a classic Southwestern dish and goes great with all sorts of sides. Like many Southwestern dishes, it is also a great way to use up leftovers: serve it with pinto beans and cheesy mashed potatoes or add chunks of leftover steak to the mixture. However you decide to make it, you’ll have a flavorful meal that is sure to please everyone at the table.

Recipe for Green Chile Beef

Ingredients:

– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 1 pound of lean ground beef
– 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
– 1 yellow onion, diced
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon pepper
– 2 tablespoons tomato paste
– 1/2 cup beef broth
– 2 4-ounce cans of diced green chiles
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1/2 teaspoon oregano
– 2 tablespoons masa harina or corn flour

Instructions:

1. In a large pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the beef, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is well-browned.
4. Add the tomato paste, beef broth, green chiles, cumin, oregano, and masa harina.
5. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Serve with your favorite sides to enjoy.