Mexican Beef Chile Verde Recipe
Introduction
Mexican Beef Chile Verde is a flavorful, hearty stew that combines tender beef with tangy tomatillos and a blend of green chilies. This dish is perfect for a comforting meal and works wonderfully as a main course or a filling for tacos and burritos.

Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef stew meat such as chuck roast, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 5 to 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups tomatillos, husked and quartered
- 4 to 5 medium green chilies (Anaheim, Hatch, or poblano), seeded and chopped
- 1 to 2 jalapeños (seeded for milder heat, unseeded for spicy)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 4 cups beef broth (halal-certified if needed)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Optional garnish: chopped cilantro and/or chopped parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat the beef cubes dry with paper towels to ensure good searing.
- Step 2: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear beef in batches until browned on all sides, then set aside.
- Step 3: In the same pot, sauté chopped onion for about 5 minutes until translucent.
- Step 4: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in the tomatillos, green chilies, and jalapeños. Cook for several minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 6: Sprinkle in cumin, oregano, coriander, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- Step 7: Return the seared beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Step 8: Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the beef is fork-tender.
- Step 9: Stir in fresh lime juice and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Step 10: Garnish with chopped cilantro or parsley, and serve hot with warm tortillas, cilantro-lime rice, or crusty bread.
Tips & Variations
- For milder heat, remove seeds from jalapeños and green chilies before cooking.
- Use a slow cooker to cook the stew on low for 6 to 8 hours if you prefer a hands-off method.
- Substitute beef broth with chicken broth or vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Add diced potatoes or carrots during simmering for extra texture and nutrition.
- Serve with a side of sour cream or shredded cheese to complement the tangy sauce.
Storage
Store leftover chile verde in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. This dish also freezes well—place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use pork instead of beef in this chile verde?
Yes, pork shoulder is a traditional choice for chile verde and works very well in this recipe. Adjust cooking time to ensure the pork becomes tender.
How do I make the dish less spicy?
To reduce heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños and green chilies before cooking. You can also start with fewer jalapeños and add more gradually to taste.
PrintMexican Beef Chile Verde Recipe
Mexican Beef Chile Verde is a flavorful and hearty stew featuring tender chunks of beef simmered in a vibrant green sauce made from tomatillos, green chilies, and aromatic spices. This classic dish is perfect for warming meals and pairs wonderfully with tortillas, rice, or crusty bread, making it an authentic and comforting addition to any Mexican-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Meat and Oil
- 2 pounds beef stew meat such as chuck roast, cut into cubes
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 5 to 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups tomatillos, husked and quartered
- 4 to 5 medium green chilies (Anaheim, Hatch, or poblano), seeded and chopped
- 1 to 2 jalapeños (seeded for milder heat, unseeded for spicy)
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Liquids and Finishing Touches
- 4 cups beef broth (halal-certified if needed)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Optional Garnish
- Chopped cilantro and/or chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Pat the beef cubes dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture and ensure a good sear during cooking.
- Sear the Beef: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, sear the beef cubes until browned on all sides. Remove the seared beef and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent and soft.
- Add Garlic and Vegetables: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Then add tomatillos, green chilies, and jalapeños. Cook for several minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Incorporate Spices: Sprinkle in the ground cumin, dried oregano, ground coriander, black pepper, and salt. Mix well so the spices coat the vegetables evenly.
- Return Beef and Add Broth: Add the seared beef back into the pot. Pour in the beef broth and stir, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom to add depth of flavor.
- Simmer the Stew: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot with a lid and let it simmer gently for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
- Finish with Lime Juice: Stir in the fresh lime juice and taste the stew, adjusting salt or seasoning as needed.
- Serve and Garnish: Garnish the Chile Verde with chopped cilantro and/or parsley if desired. Serve hot with warm tortillas, cilantro-lime rice, or crusty bread as preferred.
Notes
- For milder heat, remove seeds from jalapeños; leave them in for spicier flavor.
- Using a Dutch oven ensures even cooking and better flavor development.
- Patting the meat dry is crucial for a good sear and to develop a rich stew base.
- Simmering low and slow makes the beef tender and infuses the sauce with flavor.
- Can be made ahead and reheated; flavors deepen overnight.
- Serve with tortillas to make tacos or use as filling for burritos or enchiladas.
Keywords: Mexican Beef Chile Verde, Beef Stew, Tomatillo Sauce, Green Chile Stew, Mexican Comfort Food

