Chile con Carne
By Dolores Latorre
A Rich and Traditional Chile con Carne Recipe
This classic Chile con Carne recipe, crafted by Dolores Latorre, brings together the smoky flavor of dried ancho chiles with tender stew meat for a comforting, hearty meal. Slow-simmered and full of robust spices, it honors the depth of Southwestern cooking traditions and is perfect for sharing around the table. Adding pinto beans is optional but recommended for extra heartiness and texture.
Serves: 6–8
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Ingredients
2 lbs stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
6 dried ancho chiles (dried poblano)
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons oil (divided)
½ teaspoon oregano
⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 cubes beef bouillon (1 cube = 1 teaspoon powdered beef stock or 1 cup beef broth)
3 cups cooked pinto beans (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the chile puree:
Soak the ancho chiles in hot water until softened. Combine the softened chiles, soaking water, onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Cook the chile mixture:
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy iron skillet over medium heat. Fry the chile puree for 10 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Set aside.
Brown the meat:
In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil. Quickly brown the stew meat on all sides.
Simmer the stew:
Add enough water to cover the meat. Stir in the beef bouillon cubes and season with pepper to taste. Cover and simmer until the meat is tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Combine and cook:
Stir in the fried chile puree and continue to cook for an additional hour, allowing flavors to meld.
Add beans (optional):
If desired, add the cooked pinto beans during the last 15 minutes of cooking. Adjust salt to taste before serving.
Why Choose Bison?
Bison is naturally leaner than beef and packed with protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. This makes the stew a heart-healthy, nutrient-rich meal perfect for those looking to eat wholesome, sustainable food that honors Indigenous heritage.
Support Indigenous Food Sovereignty
At the Texas Tribal Buffalo Project, we are dedicated to restoring kinship between Indigenous peoples and the Buffalo. Through land reclamation and culturally meaningful food access, we work to strengthen Indigenous food systems across Turtle Island.
