Hearty Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe

Flavor-Packed Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe

Tender, slow-cooked beef simmered in a rich chili colorado sauce creates a mouthwatering meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

The robust flavors blend perfectly with soft flour tortillas, promising a delightful dining experience.

Succulent meat melts in your mouth, releasing layers of deep, spicy goodness with every bite.

Bold Mexican-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a hearty dish that satisfies serious hunger pangs.

Weeknight dinners just got an exciting upgrade with this simple yet incredibly delicious recipe.

This burrito brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen, making each meal feel like a special celebration.

Get ready to impress with a dish that combines classic techniques and bold, zesty flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker) + 20 minutes (oven)

Total Time: 7-8 hours

Calories: 650 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients for Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos

For Meat Base:
  • Chuck Roast: Select a well-marbled cut for rich, tender beef that falls apart beautifully during slow cooking.
  • Beef Bullion Granules: Enhances deep meaty flavor and adds subtle saltiness to the dish.
For Sauce Components:
  • Enchilada Sauce: Delivers robust, traditional Mexican flavor profile with tangy undertones.
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, silky texture and adds smooth richness to the sauce.
  • Flour: Acts as thickening agent to transform sauce into creamy consistency.
  • Water: Helps create smooth flour mixture for seamless sauce integration.
For Assembly And Topping:
  • Tortillas: Choose large, soft flour tortillas that can hold substantial meat filling without tearing.
  • Shredded Cheese: Opt for melty varieties like monterey jack or cheddar for golden, stretchy topping.
  • Cilantro: Provides fresh, bright herbal notes that cut through the richness.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and elevating overall dish seasoning.
Optional Serving Companions:
  • Sour Cream: Adds cool, tangy contrast to spicy elements.
  • Pico de Gallo: Introduces fresh, zesty vegetable crunch.
  • Guacamole: Contributes creamy, smooth counterpoint to warm burritos.

Tools for Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos

  • Slow Cooker: Essential for tender, flavorful beef.
  • Large Baking Dish (9×13-inch): Perfect for assembling and baking burritos.
  • Medium Saucepan: Needed for creating creamy enchilada sauce.
  • Two Forks: Great for shredding cooked beef.
  • Small Mixing Bowls: Used for whisking flour mixture and preparing ingredients.
  • Whisk: Crucial for blending sauce and creating smooth consistency.
  • Sharp Knife: Required for cutting meat into chunks.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

Cooking Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos

Chili Colorado Burrito Magic

  • Tender Meat Preparation

Grab a slow cooker and gently coat it with cooking spray. Break down the roast into hearty chunks and nestle them inside with enchilada sauce, aromatic spices, minced garlic, and diced onions.

  • Slow Cooking Journey

Let the meat simmer on low heat for 6-8 hours until it’s fall-apart tender. Carefully remove the meat and shred it using two forks, seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the flavor.

  • Sauce Transformation

Transfer some cooking liquid to a saucepan and whisk in rich cream. Create a smooth flour blend and gradually incorporate it into the sauce, allowing it to thicken and develop a luxurious consistency.

  • Burrito Assembly

Spread a thin layer of sauce in a baking dish. Lovingly fill tortillas with the succulent shredded beef, rolling them up snugly and placing them seam-side down.

  • Cheesy Finale

Pour the creamy sauce over the burritos and shower them with a generous layer of melty cheese. Bake until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbly blanket.

  • Serving Celebration

Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top and serve with optional sides like zesty pico de gallo or cool sour cream for a complete flavor experience.

Flavor Tweaks for Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos

  • Choose chuck roast or beef brisket for maximum tenderness and rich flavor. Trimming excess fat helps create a leaner final dish without sacrificing juiciness.
  • Customize heat levels by adding diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or extra chili powder directly into the slow cooker sauce. Experiment with different enchilada sauce brands for unique flavor profiles.
  • Warm tortillas briefly in the microwave or on a skillet to prevent cracking when rolling. Use large flour tortillas for easier wrapping and a more substantial burrito.
  • Prepare beef filling and sauce one day ahead, storing separately in the refrigerator. This technique intensifies flavors and simplifies final assembly.
  • Swap beef with black beans, roasted sweet potatoes, or shredded jackfruit for a plant-based alternative that maintains the recipe's robust southwestern essence.

How to Plate Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos

  • Festive Fiesta Plate: Surround the burritos with colorful Mexican-style rice, adding vibrant green peas or corn kernels for extra texture and brightness.
  • Zesty Topping Trio: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and a drizzle of lime crema to elevate the dish with tangy, fresh flavors that complement the rich beef.
  • Southwest Side Symphony: Serve alongside black beans garnished with diced red onions and a small dollop of sour cream, creating a complete meal with balanced protein and complementary textures.
  • Spice Lover's Delight: Offer a small side of homemade salsa or hot sauce for guests who want an extra kick of heat and want to customize their burrito experience.

Saving Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos for Later

  • Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare double the recipe and freeze individual portions for quick weeknight meals. Wrap each burrito tightly in aluminum foil before freezing to maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn.
  • Refrigerator Magic: Cooked burritos stay delicious for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain optimal texture.
  • Reheating Secrets: Revive refrigerated burritos by warming them in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave works in a pinch, but can make tortillas slightly soggy – add a damp paper towel to keep moisture balanced.
  • Ingredient Prep Hack: Shred beef and prepare sauce up to two days in advance. Store meat and sauce separately in sealed containers, which helps maintain flavor intensity and makes final assembly super quick and easy.
Print
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Hearty Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe

Hearty Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 7-8 hours
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Rich Mexican chili colorado burritos feature tender beef braised in a robust red sauce, wrapped in warm tortillas with melted cheese. Hungry diners will discover complex flavors that transport palates directly to authentic Mexican cuisine.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) boneless beef chuck roast
  • 2 (10 oz or 284 g) cans red enchilada sauce
  • 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
  • 1 cup (240 g) shredded monterrey jack cheese
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120 ml) diced onion
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 23 tbsps chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tsp beef bouillon granules
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 tbsps water
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings:

  • Sour cream
  • Pico de gallo
  • Guacamole

Instructions

  1. Meat Preparation: Place roast chunks in a slow cooker coated with cooking spray. Combine enchilada sauce, bullion, garlic, and onion over the meat. Slow cook on low for 6-8 hours until beef becomes fork-tender.
  2. Shredding and Seasoning: Remove meat from slow cooker, reserving cooking liquid. Shred beef using two forks, seasoning with salt and pepper. Set aside the succulent meat.
  3. Sauce Creation: Transfer reserved sauce to a saucepan. Whisk heavy cream into the liquid. Create a smooth flour slurry by blending flour with water. Gradually incorporate the slurry into the sauce, stirring continuously over medium heat until thickened and gently bubbling.
  4. Burrito Assembly: Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and spread a thin sauce layer on the bottom. Distribute shredded beef evenly across tortillas, rolling tightly and positioning seam-side down in the prepared dish.
  5. Baking and Finishing: Pour creamy enchilada sauce over rolled burritos. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the top. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese melts completely and sauce bubbles around edges. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with optional accompaniments like sour cream, pico de gallo, or guacamole.

Notes

  • Slow Cooker Magic: Use a light coating of cooking spray to prevent meat from sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  • Meat Tenderness Tip: Cook beef on low for 6-8 hours to achieve melt-in-your-mouth texture that falls apart effortlessly.
  • Sauce Perfection: Create a smooth flour slurry by whisking flour and water thoroughly to avoid lumpy sauce and achieve a silky consistency.
  • Cheese Melting Hack: Bake uncovered to allow cheese to develop a golden, bubbly top and enhance overall flavor profile of the burritos.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker) + 20 minutes (oven)
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 650
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 20 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 36 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg
Sophie Martin

Sophie Martin

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

  • Nutrition and Healthy Eating
  • Creating Balanced Recipes
  • Meal Planning
  • Food Safety
  • Teaching About Nutrition

Education

Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition
  • Focus: Studying how food affects health, learning about balanced diets, and understanding the nutritional needs of different people.

South African Chefs Academy, Cape Town

  • Program: Professional Culinary Arts Diploma
  • Focus: Practical cooking skills, focusing on healthy meal preparation and understanding various cooking methods.

Sophie Martin is the nutrition brain and feel-good foodie at Good Tasting Meals. With a degree in Human Nutrition from Stellenbosch University and chef training from the South African Chefs Academy, Sophie brings balance to the table, literally. She loves creating meals that are easy to make, great to eat, and good for your body too.

Her recipes are made for everyday living, with a little flair and a lot of heart. Sophie’s not here to count calories, she’s here to show you how fresh, simple food can fit into your life, taste amazing, and still be nourishing.

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