Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe

Easy Homemade Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe That Wows

Chili colorado burritos change ordinary weeknight meals into extraordinary culinary adventures that spark excitement at the dinner table.

Rich, deeply flavored sauces combine with tender meat to create a satisfying dining experience that feels both comforting and bold.

Mexican-inspired cuisine brings warmth and depth to home cooking, elevating simple ingredients into something truly spectacular.

The robust blend of spices and slow-cooked proteins promises a meal that delights every sense and brings families together.

Complex flavors mingle effortlessly, creating a harmonious balance between heat, richness, and subtle undertones that dance across your palate.

These burritos represent more than just food – they embody a celebration of cultural traditions and passionate cooking.

Familiar yet exciting, this recipe invites you to embrace a delicious journey of taste and texture.

Reheating Tips to Keep Burritos Creamy and Flavorful

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover burritos in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Wrap individual burritos tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label with the date for easy tracking.
  • Reheat: Thaw frozen burritos in the refrigerator overnight. Warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave for 2-3 minutes, ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Pair With Rice, Beans, or Fresh Salsas

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Malbec or Tempranillo to complement the rich, spicy beef flavors and creamy sauce. The wine's depth matches the hearty burrito's intensity.
  • Create a Fresh Salsa Sidekick: Whip up a zesty pico de gallo with diced tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lime juice. Its bright, tangy notes cut through the creamy, heavy sauce and provide a refreshing contrast.
  • Serve with Cool Beverage Contrast: Prepare a classic Mexican lager like Modelo Especial or Corona, which offers a crisp, light counterpoint to the burritos' richness. The beer's subtle carbonation helps cleanse the palate between bites.
  • Add Cooling Cream Accompaniment: Offer homemade guacamole or sour cream on the side. These creamy elements enhance the dish's texture while providing a cooling sensation against the warm, spicy burritos.

Customize the Filling for New Burrito Ideas

  • Spicy Southwest Beef Burritos: Replace enchilada sauce with chipotle salsa for a smoky, fiery kick. Add diced green chiles and jalapeños to intensify the heat level.
  • Green Chile Chicken Version: Swap beef for shredded chicken thighs. Use green enchilada sauce and add roasted Hatch green chiles for a New Mexico-inspired flavor profile.
  • Vegetarian Black Bean Edition: Substitute beef with seasoned black beans and roasted vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini. Use vegetable broth instead of bullion for depth of flavor.
  • Carnitas-Style Pork Adaptation: Replace beef roast with slow-cooked pork shoulder. Season with cumin, oregano, and orange zest for a traditional Mexican carnitas approach.

Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos That Bring the Heat

  • Savor Slow-Cooked Tenderness: Beef transforms into melt-in-your-mouth perfection after 6-8 hours of gentle slow cooking, ensuring incredibly soft and succulent meat that falls apart effortlessly.
  • Creamy Sauce Magic: The ingenious combination of enchilada sauce and heavy cream creates a luxurious, velvety sauce that elevates the classic burrito with rich, indulgent flavor and smooth texture.
  • Customize Your Comfort: Flexible serving options like sour cream, pico de gallo, and guacamole allow personalization, making this dish perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings where everyone can add their favorite toppings.
  • Simple Weeknight Win: With minimal prep and hands-off cooking time, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results without complex techniques, making it an ideal meal for busy home cooks craving delicious Mexican-inspired comfort food.

Ingredients for Chili Colorado Burritos with a Creamy Twist

Meat Ingredients:
  • Beef Roast: Tender, well-marbled cut perfect for slow cooking and shredding with rich flavor.
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Enchilada Sauce: Traditional Mexican-style sauce providing deep, spicy base flavor.
  • Bullion Granules: Adds rich, savory depth to the meat and sauce.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient bringing robust, warm flavor to the dish.
  • Onion: Provides sweet and savory undertones to enhance overall taste.
  • Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing meat flavor.
Creamy Sauce and Burritos Components:
  • Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious, smooth texture for enchilada sauce.
  • Flour: Helps thicken sauce and create velvety consistency.
  • Water: Assists in creating smooth flour mixture.
  • Tortillas: Soft, flexible wraps for holding shredded beef.
  • Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully, adding rich, creamy topping.
Garnish Ingredients:
  • Cilantro: Fresh herb adding bright, citrusy note.
  • Sour Cream, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole: Optional accompaniments for extra flavor and freshness.

Instructions for Rolling and Baking These Bold Burritos

Step 1: Prepare the Slow Cooker Beef

  • Beef roast
  • Enchilada sauce
  • Bullion granules
  • Garlic
  • Onion

Lightly grease the slow cooker. Slice the roast into 3-4 chunky pieces. Toss in the slow cooker with sauce, bullion, garlic, and onion. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until beef becomes fork-tender.

Step 2: Shred and Season the Meat

Remove beef from slow cooker. Using two forks, pull the meat apart into soft shreds. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside the succulent meat.

Step 3: Create the Creamy Enchilada Sauce

  • Heavy cream
  • Flour
  • Water

Transfer 1 1/2 cups of slow cooker sauce to a saucepan. Whisk in heavy cream. Mix flour and water until smooth. Slowly incorporate flour mixture into sauce. Simmer over medium heat. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Assemble the Burritos

Spread tortillas flat. Distribute shredded beef evenly. Roll tightly and place seam-side down in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat oven to 400°F. Pour creamy sauce over burritos. Sprinkle generously with shredded cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese melts and sauce bubbles.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top. Serve with optional sides like sour cream, pico de gallo, or guacamole. Enjoy this hearty, flavor-packed meal!

Tips for a Thick Sauce and Soft Tortilla Wrap

  • Master Meat Tenderness: Choose a chuck roast or beef chuck for maximum flavor and fall-apart texture during slow cooking.
  • Prevent Dry Meat: Keep the meat fully submerged in sauce while slow cooking to ensure moisture and rich taste.
  • Enhance Sauce Consistency: Whisk flour mixture slowly and steadily to avoid lumps in the creamy enchilada sauce.
  • Tortilla Pro Tip: Warm tortillas briefly before filling to prevent cracking and make rolling easier.
  • Cheese Melting Trick: Let burritos rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow cheese to set and sauce to thicken slightly.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe

Creamy Chili Colorado Burritos Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Colorado’s chili colorado burritos showcase tender beef simmered in rich, spicy red sauce wrapped in warm tortillas. Hearty Mexican comfort rolls deliciously together, promising a satisfying meal that delivers bold flavors you’ll crave.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless beef chuck roast

Sauce Ingredients:

  • 2 (10 ounces or 284 grams) cans red enchilada sauce
  • 1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) diced onion
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Creamy and Finishing Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 8 (8-inch) flour tortillas
  • 1 cup (240 grams) shredded Monterrey jack cheese
  • 23 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Optional Toppings:

  • Sour cream
  • Pico de gallo
  • Guacamole

Instructions

  1. Prepare the slow cooker by lightly coating the interior with cooking spray. Slice the roast into 3-4 substantial chunks and transfer to the slow cooker.
  2. Add enchilada sauce, bullion granules, minced garlic, and diced onion to the meat. Cover and allow to cook on low temperature for 6-8 hours until the beef becomes exceptionally tender.
  3. Extract the meat from the slow cooker, reserving the sauce. Using two forks, meticulously shred the beef and season with salt and pepper. Set the shredded meat aside.
  4. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly greasing and spreading a thin layer of sauce from the slow cooker across the bottom.
  5. Transfer 1 1/2 cups of slow cooker sauce to a saucepan. Incorporate heavy cream and create a flour slurry by whisking flour with water until completely smooth.
  6. Gradually integrate the flour mixture into the sauce, stirring continuously. Simmer over medium heat, seasoning with salt and pepper. Maintain a gentle bubbling while assembling the burritos.
  7. Distribute the shredded beef evenly across tortillas. Roll each tortilla tightly and position them seam-side down in the prepared baking dish.
  8. Generously pour the creamy enchilada sauce over the rolled burritos. Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese across the top.
  9. Bake uncovered for approximately 20 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and the sauce begins to bubble around the edges.
  10. Garnish with freshly chopped cilantro. Optionally serve alongside sour cream, pico de gallo, or guacamole for additional flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Slow Cooker Magic transforms tough beef into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
  • Creamy Enchilada Sauce elevates this burrito recipe from good to restaurant-quality, creating a rich and luxurious coating for the tender beef.
  • Flour Slurry Technique ensures a smooth, thickened sauce without lumps, guaranteeing a professional-looking and tasting final dish.
  • Versatile Serving Options allow personalization with optional toppings like sour cream, pico de gallo, or guacamole to suit individual preferences.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly recipe can be prepared in stages, with beef and sauce potentially made a day in advance for convenient meal planning.
  • Cheese Melting Tip involves baking uncovered to achieve a golden, bubbly cheese topping that adds incredible texture and visual appeal.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 500
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 900 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star