Papas con Chile Colorado (Red Chilli Potato Stew)
Soft potatoes and carrots simmered in smoky red chilli sauce, a hearty vegan stew that needs no meat.
Made with Chile colorado sauce and Corn tortillas from masa harina. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.50 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oil in a wide pan over a medium heat. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft.
5 min - 2
Add the potatoes and carrots and stir for 2 minutes so they pick up a little colour.
2 min - 3
Pour in your ready made chile colorado sauce (see the base recipe) and the water. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the vegetables are tender and the sauce coats them.
25 min - 4
Uncover for the last 5 minutes if the sauce is runny. Taste and add salt if needed.
- 5
Heat your corn tortillas (see the base recipe) in a dry pan for 20 seconds a side. Serve the stew in bowls with the tortillas, avocado, coriander and lime.
Tips
- Cut the potatoes and carrots to the same size so they cook at the same speed.
- Waxy potatoes hold their shape. Floury ones break up and thicken the sauce, which is also nice.
- A handful of green beans or peas in the last 5 minutes adds colour.
Storing and freezing
Cool and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months (potatoes soften a little). Reheat until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Is this stew vegan?
Yes. The sauce is made with vegetable stock, the stew uses oil, and corn tortillas are plant based. Check your chile colorado sauce stock for gluten if needed.
Can I make it heartier?
Yes. Stir in a tin of drained pinto beans or chickpeas in the last 10 minutes, or serve with rice.
Can I use sweet potato?
Yes, but add it for the last 15 minutes only. It cooks faster than ordinary potato and turns mushy if left in too long.
More made with chile colorado sauce
Torta Ahogada de Carnitas (Drowned Pork Sandwich)
EFNFDFTacos de Hongos en Chile Colorado (Red Chilli Mushroom Tacos)
DFEFNFQuesadillas de Pollo en Chile Colorado (Red Chilli Chicken Quesadillas)
EFNFHuevos Ahogados en Chile Colorado (Eggs Poached in Red Chilli Sauce)
DFNFVDouble check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.