Green Chile Stew With Ground Beef
Green Chile Stew with Ground Beef is a hearty and flavorful dish that’s perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings. With tender ground beef, zesty green chile, and soft potatoes, this stew is packed with savory flavors that warm you up from the inside out.
The combination of spices like cumin and the richness of homemade broth elevates the taste, while the option to make it in a slow cooker makes it even more convenient for busy days.
Whether served with fresh tortillas or on its own, this stew is a comforting meal everyone will love!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Comfort in a Bowl: This hearty stew is the epitome of cozy, offering the warmth and satisfaction of a home-cooked comfort meal, especially perfect for cold days or when you’re craving something nostalgic.
Bold Southwestern Flavor: The combination of green chiles, cumin, and tomatoes creates a rich, slightly smoky, mildly spicy flavor profile that resonates deeply with fans of Southwestern and Mexican cuisine.
Customizable and Versatile: Whether you’re craving a stovetop classic or a set-it-and-forget-it Crock-Pot meal, this recipe adapts to your schedule and lifestyle. You can also tailor the spice, protein, and toppings to suit your exact preferences.
Hearty and Filling: Thanks to the ground beef, russet potatoes, and savory broth, this stew is not only flavorful but also incredibly satisfying and nourishing — ideal for feeding a family or meal prepping for the week.
Perfect for Toppings and Creativity: From shredded cheese and sour cream to avocado and lime, this stew becomes a canvas for vibrant garnishes, allowing every bowl to feel like a personalized dish.
Make-Ahead Friendly: The flavors deepen beautifully with time, making this stew even more delicious the next day — great for leftovers and batch cooking.
Freezer-Friendly: It stores well, meaning you can always have a hearty, homemade meal ready to go whenever you need it most.
Inclusive and Flexible: With vegetarian, vegan, and lean-protein options available, this dish can be enjoyed by nearly everyone, no matter their dietary needs.
Simple, Real Ingredients: Made from pantry staples and fresh produce, it delivers a rich taste without the need for complicated techniques or expensive ingredients.
Key Ingredients:
Ground Beef: The hearty foundation of this stew, adding rich, savory depth and satisfying protein. You can also swap it with turkey or plant-based alternatives for a different, yet comforting experience.
Diced Green Chiles: The soul of the stew, lending smoky heat and bright vegetal notes. Whether you use Hatch, Anaheim, or poblano, they bring regional authenticity and bold character to every spoonful.
Russet Potatoes: These starchy workhorses soak up the flavors of the broth beautifully, giving the stew body, texture, and rustic heartiness.
Cumin and Salt: A classic duo that enhances the stew’s warmth. Cumin brings earthy spice while salt lifts every ingredient’s flavor.
Broth (Homemade if possible): The liquid gold that ties everything together. Using homemade broth infuses the stew with a slow-simmered richness that store-bought just can’t match.
Tomatoes: A subtle yet essential addition, they balance the spice with gentle acidity and a touch of sweetness, rounding out the flavor profile.
Expert Tips:
Brown the Meat Properly: Don’t rush the browning step. Let the ground beef develop a rich, golden crust before stirring—this Maillard reaction adds deep umami flavor to the entire stew.
Sauté the Onions Slowly: Cook the onions until they’re soft and lightly caramelized before adding other ingredients. This builds a subtle sweetness and layered flavor base that sets your stew apart.
Use Fire-Roasted or Freshly Roasted Chiles: For maximum flavor, roast your own green chiles or use fire-roasted canned varieties. The slight char gives a smoky complexity that elevates the dish.
Simmer Gently for Texture: Once the broth and potatoes are in, avoid a hard boil. A gentle simmer helps the potatoes stay intact while soaking up all the stew’s savory richness.
Add Tomatoes Late: Stir in diced tomatoes toward the end of cooking. This preserves their bright, fresh flavor and keeps them from turning too mushy.
Let It Rest Before Serving: Allow the stew to sit off-heat for 10–15 minutes before serving. This resting time lets the flavors marry and develop a deeper, more cohesive taste.
Make It a Day Ahead: Like many stews, this one tastes even better the next day. The flavors meld overnight, creating a more intense, satisfying bowl with minimal effort.
Customize with Layered Toppings: Offer a toppings bar with lime wedges, avocado, shredded cheese, or pickled onions. These fresh contrasts cut through the richness and allow each guest to tailor their bowl.
Balance Heat and Acid: If the stew feels too spicy, add a splash of lime juice or a small spoon of sour cream. A touch of acid or creaminess balances the fire beautifully without muting the flavor.
Green Chile Stew With Ground Beef
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 cup diced green chile
2 tsp salt
1 tbsp cumin
8 cups broth (try homemade broth!)
4 russet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup diced tomatoes
Instructions:
Add ground beef and onion to a large stockpot or pan, over medium heat.
Brown ground beef and onions for 5-8 minutes, or until mostly cooked.
Add in green chile, salt, cumin, broth, and potatoes, and bring to a boil.
Boil over medium-high heat for 10 minutes, then add in tomatoes.
Continue boiling for 5 more minutes, or until potatoes are soft, and remove from heat.
Serve with fresh homemade tortillas.
If you want to put this all in a crock-pot and forget about it for 8 hours, you can definitely do that as well. Just leave out the potatoes and tomatoes until about 2 hours until it’s done, then add ’em. It’ll be perfect by the time you get ready for dinner!
Important Notes for Green Chile Stew With Ground Beef
Choose Your Green Chiles Wisely: The type of chile you use defines the personality of this stew. Hatch green chiles are prized for their smoky richness, while Anaheim or poblano offer milder heat. Always taste and adjust quantity based on your spice tolerance.
Fresh vs. Canned Chiles: If fresh green chiles are in season, roast them yourself for a more vibrant, authentic flavor. If using canned, drain them well to avoid watering down the stew and control the salt content.
Broth Quality Matters: Homemade broth adds unmatched depth and body, making the stew taste like it simmered all day—even if it didn’t. If using store-bought, opt for low-sodium so you can control seasoning.
Potato Texture Tips: Use russet potatoes for a creamy, thickened broth as they break down slightly. If you prefer firmer chunks, swap in waxy varieties like Yukon Gold.
Timing for Vegetables: Add tomatoes near the end of cooking to preserve their freshness and avoid disintegration. Likewise, in slow cooker versions, delay adding potatoes and tomatoes until the final couple of hours to prevent them from overcooking.
Don’t Skip the Resting Time: Let the stew sit off-heat for 10–15 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors settle and develop a more unified, comforting taste.
Freezer-Friendly, with Care: This stew freezes well, but potatoes may slightly change texture. To preserve consistency, consider slightly undercooking the potatoes if you plan to freeze and reheat.
It’s a Stew, Not a Soup: The broth should be rich and lightly thickened by the starch from the potatoes. If it feels too thin, let it simmer a bit longer uncovered, or mash a few potato chunks to naturally thicken it.
Nutrition Information:
Calories: 315 calories | Protein: 19g | Carbohydrates: 29g | Dietary Fiber: 3g | Sugars: 3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1052mg | Potassium: 756mg
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef?
Yes, you can substitute ground turkey or chicken for ground beef if you prefer a leaner option or have dietary restrictions.
The flavor profile will be slightly different, but it can still be delicious.
What type of green chiles should I use?
You can use any variety of green chiles that you prefer or have access to.
Hatch green chiles are a popular choice for this dish, but Anaheim or poblano chiles also work well.
Adjust the quantity based on your spice preference.
Can I make this stew in advance and reheat it?
Yes, you can make this stew in advance and reheat it when you’re ready to serve.
It often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together.
Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Are there any vegetarian or vegan variations of this stew?
To make a vegetarian version, you can omit the ground beef and use plant-based ground meat or additional vegetables like mushrooms or lentils for texture and protein.
For a vegan version, use vegetable broth and ensure that all ingredients are plant-based.
Can I freeze leftovers of this stew?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers of this stew for future meals.
Allow it to cool completely, then transfer it to airtight containers or freezer bags.
Label and date them, and it should keep well in the freezer for several months.
What type of green chile should I use, and how spicy will the stew be?
The spiciness of the stew will depend on the variety of green chile you choose.
Hatch green chiles are a popular choice for their flavor and moderate spiciness, but you can use milder or hotter chiles based on your preference.
Remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor.
Can I use canned green chiles instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use canned green chiles if you don’t have access to fresh ones.
Just be sure to drain them before adding them to the stew.
Canned chiles may have a slightly different flavor than fresh, so adjust the quantity to taste.
Is there a vegetarian version of this stew?
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version of this stew by omitting the ground beef and using vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
You can also add additional vegetables or plant-based protein sources like tofu or beans.
Can I customize the spices and seasonings to my taste?
Absolutely! Feel free to adjust the salt, cumin, and other seasonings to suit your taste preferences.
You can also add other spices like chili powder or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
What are some popular toppings or garnishes for this stew?
Common toppings or garnishes for Green Chile Stew include grated cheese, sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and lime wedges.
You can get creative with your choice of toppings to enhance the flavors.