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Best Easy Puerco en Chile Colorado Recipe

Name: Best Easy Puerco en Chile Colorado Recipe
Total time: 130 min
Yield: 250 g
Ingredients: pork shoulder (boneless, trimmed, cut into 1.5-inch cubes) 2 lbs; dried New Mexico chiles (stemmed and seeded) 6 pieces; dried guajillo chiles (stemmed and seeded) 3 pieces; white onion (quartered) 1 piece; garlic cloves (peeled) 4 cloves; vegetable oil 2 tbsp; chicken broth (low-sodium) 2 cups; ground cumin 2 tsp; dried oregano 1.5 tsp; bay leaf 1 piece; kosher salt 1.5 tsp; black pepper 0.5 tsp

Pork braised in a rich red chile Colorado sauce, a staple of northern Mexican home cooking. This high protein, carnivore-approved dish pairs perfectly with warm tortillas for a satisfying family meal.

Cook 130 min Difficulty NORMAL 360 kcal

#high protein #diabetic friendly

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

pork shoulder (boneless, trimmed, cut into 1.5-inch cubes) 2 lbs
dried New Mexico chiles (stemmed and seeded) 6 pieces
dried guajillo chiles (stemmed and seeded) 3 pieces
white onion (quartered) 1 piece
garlic cloves (peeled) 4 cloves
vegetable oil 2 tbsp
chicken broth (low-sodium) 2 cups

Seasonings/Sauce

ground cumin 2 tsp
dried oregano 1.5 tsp
bay leaf 1 piece
kosher salt 1.5 tsp
black pepper 0.5 tsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 10 g 11%

Protein 33 g 37%

Fat 18 g 52%

Serving size 250g

Cooking steps

1

Toast the dried New Mexico and guajillo chiles in a dry skillet over medium heat for 1-2 minutes per side until fragrant, pressing with a spatula but being careful not to burn.
2

Place toasted chiles in a bowl, cover with very hot water, and soak for 20 minutes until softened. Reserve 1 cup soaking liquid and drain the rest.
3

Blend the soaked chiles, onion, garlic, ground cumin, oregano, black pepper, and 1 cup chicken broth until very smooth, adding some of the chile soaking liquid if needed for a thick sauce.
4

Heat vegetable oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear pork shoulder cubes in batches until deeply browned on all sides, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove browned pork and set aside.
5

Return all pork to the pot, pour in the chile sauce and remaining chicken broth, add bay leaf and salt, and stir. Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and braise on low heat for 2–2.5 hours, stirring occasionally, until pork is extremely tender and sauce has thickened.
6

Discard bay leaf. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Serve hot, accompanied by warm tortillas and garnishes if desired.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this Best Easy Puerco en Chile Colorado Recipe?

The defining ingredient is pork shoulder, which delivers richness and tenderness after slow braising. Combined with toasted dried New Mexico and guajillo chiles, it forms the authentic, robust base for the chile Colorado sauce unique to this northern Mexican classic.

Q. How do I avoid tough pork or dry texture in this recipe?

Careful low-heat braising is key. Sear the pork well for flavor, then simmer gently, covered, over low heat for 2 to 2.5 hours to break down connective tissue without drying the meat. Stir occasionally and do not rush—the result will be fall-apart tender pork.

Q. Which seasoning makes the biggest difference in flavor?

Ground cumin, along with toasted chiles and oregano, is essential for depth and earthiness in the sauce. Don’t skip the toasting and proper blending of the chile mixture—this step unlocks the signature aroma and nuanced flavor typical of authentic chile Colorado.

Q. What is the calorie and macronutrient content per serving?

Each serving (250g) provides approximately 360 kcal, with 33g protein (37% of calories), 10g carbs (11%), and 18g fat (52%). This makes the dish high in protein and relatively low in carbohydrates, suitable for balanced meal plans.

Q. How spicy is this dish, and can I adjust the heat?

The combination of New Mexico and guajillo chiles yields a medium, earthy heat rather than an aggressive spiciness. Removing seeds and toasting the chiles controls bitterness and makes the flavor more rounded. If you prefer a milder dish, use fewer guajillo chiles or increase the ratio of New Mexico chiles.

Best Easy Puerco en Chile Colorado Recipe

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