The Best Recipes from Colorado (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Comfort Food

The Best Recipes from Colorado (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: Feb. 26, 2024

    We found the best recipes from Colorado—all submitted by local home cooks. Check out the best of the Rocky Mountian state like green chili and lamb; but don't worry, you won't run into any Rocky Mountain Oysters here!

    1/30

    Green Chile Ribs

    I like my food with a spicy kick; my wife does not. These ribs with green chiles suit her taste. For more firepower, add cayenne or jalapenos. —Guy Newton, Nederland, Colorado

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    2/30

    Taste of Home

    Lamb Marsala

    Lamb was a special treat for my family when I was growing up. I've had this recipe for more than 30 years. I hope it becomes a favorite for your family, too. —Bonnie Silverstein, Denver, Colorado

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    3/30

    Pork and Apple Tamales

    Serve this family favorite for all occasions: a quick dinner, brown-bag lunch, hearty snack or even a fun appetizer. —Marie Macy, Fort Collins, Colorado

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    4/30

    Taste of Home

    Zesty Marinated Shrimp

    These easy shrimp look impressive on a buffet table and taste even better! The zesty sauce has a wonderful spicy citrus flavor. I especially like this recipe because I can prepare it ahead of time. —Mary Jane Guest, Alamosa, Colorado

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    5/30

    Standing Rib Roast

    This standing rib roast recipe is practically foolproof. Treat your family to tender slices of standing rib roast or use the seasoning blend on a different beef roast for a hearty, delicious main dish. I love to prepare this recipe for special occasions. —Lucy Meyring, Walden, Colorado

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    6/30

    Berry Rhubarb Fool

    A "fool" is a British dessert that's usually made with custard. This is a modified, quicker version I created. My kids love it because it doesn't taste like rhubarb—so I guess it's well named! —Cheryl Miller, Fort Collins, Colorado

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    7/30

    Slow-Cooker Boeuf Bourguignon

    I’d wanted to make boeuf bourguignon (beef Burgundy) ever since I got one of Julia Child’s cookbooks, but I wanted to find a way to fix it in a slow cooker. My slow-cooker boeuf bourguignon is still rich, hearty and delicious, but there's no need to watch it on the stovetop or in the oven. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

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    8/30

    Taste of Home

    Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

    My family combined two of our favorite things: pulled pork and grilled cheese sandwiches. This recipe is super fast and easy when you use store-bought pulled pork. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

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    9/30

    Taste of Home

    Grilled Veggie Pizza

    I came up with this recipe one summer as a way to use up vegetables from our garden. Grilling the veggies first brings out their sizzling flavors. Try it with a sprinkling of olives or pine nuts before adding the cheese. —Susan Marshall, Colorado Springs, Colorado

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    10/30

    Chocolate Butterscotch Haystacks

    My grandmother used to make this haystacks recipe to give to my cousin Vonnie and me when our parents didn't want us to have any more sweets. —Christine Schwester, Divide, Colorado

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    11/30

    12/30

    Cranberry Turkey Wraps

    Fruity and flavorful, these hefty grab-and-go handfuls are quick to assemble, easy to handle and low in calories. We often take them in a cooler to the local stock show and eat them in the stands. Everyone seems to love them! —Bobbie Keefer, Byers, Colorado

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    13/30

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Chai Tea

    A wonderful sweet and spicy aroma wafts from the slow cooker as this fragrant and flavorful chai tea cooks. —Crystal Jo Burns, Iliff, Colorado

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    14/30

    Fluffed Fruit Salad

    I like this recipe since I can prepare it in advance when entertaining. Even people who don't care for cranberries usually like this treat.—Christine Halandras, Meeker, Colorado

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    15/30

    Spicy Butterscotch Wings

    We love big-time-spicy chicken wings. I do a caramel sauce to balance the heat, but you could also glaze the wings with melted brown sugar. —Aaron Salazar, Westminster, Colorado

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    16/30

    Gouda Turkey Club

    With this recipe, two can enjoy the taste of something new and elegant in minutes. All you need to add is the ambiance for a bistro meal at home. —Karen Harris, Littleton, Colorado

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    17/30

    Taste of Home

    Plum Crisp with Crunchy Oat Topping

    Made with fresh plums and a crunchy oat topping, this crisp is a lighter alternative to classic fruit pie. It goes over well with the women in my church group.—Deidre Kobel, Boulder, Colorado

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    18/30

    Chicken Artichoke Skillet

    My fast chicken entree featuring artichokes and olives has real Greek flair. Seasoned with lemon juice and oregano, the stovetop chicken turns out moist and tender. —Carol Latimore, Arvada, Colorado

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    19/30

    Buttery Ganache Cookie Cups

    Our family wanted to share our love of ganache-filled cupcakes, so we made them into cookies. Even better: we bake the cookies in muffin cups, fill with ganache, and get the best of both worlds! —Adela Srinivasan, Parker, Colorado

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    20/30

    Taste of Home

    Chipotle Lime Avocado Salad

    I use my music to promote a healthy lifestyle, like eating your veggies. This bright salad is loaded with avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes and a little heat factor. —DJ Cavem, Denver, Colorado

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    21/30

    22/30

    Beef Brisket Tacos

    Birthday parties back home were big gatherings of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and anyone else we considered family. As soon as guests arrived, hot pans of shredded brisket, or carne deshebrada, appeared, along with huge bowls of salads, frijoles, tostadas and salsas. Brisket was the dish we always counted on because it could be made in the oven or a slow cooker. —Yvette Marquez, Littleton, Colorado

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    23/30

    24/30

    Taste of Home

    Soft Giant Pretzels

    My husband and our friends and family love these soft, chewy pretzels. Let the bread machine mix the dough, then all you have to do is shape and bake these fun snacks. —Sherry Peterson, Fort Collins, Colorado

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    25/30

    TMB Studio

    Mini Ham Quiches

    These quiches are delightful for brunch when you don’t want to fuss. Replace
    the ham with bacon, sausage, chicken or shrimp, or use chopped onion, red pepper or zucchini instead of olives. —Marilou Robinson, Portland, Oregon

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    26/30

    Slow-Cooker Barbacoa

    My husband adores this slow-cooker barbacoa simmered in lime juice, chipotle and cumin. He would eat it one a week if I would make it that often! We have it over rice with cilantro and a spritz of lime. —Aundrea McCormick, Denver, Colorado

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    27/30

    Easy Dill Pickles

    This treasured dill pickle recipe is like an old friend. These crispy spears have a slightly salty, tart flavor with a good balance of dill, garlic and peppers. —Betty Sitzman, Wray, Colorado

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    28/30

    Taste of Home

    Green Chili Chops with Sweet Potatoes

    It takes only a few minutes to combine the ingredients in a slow cooker, and you'll have a filling, healthy dinner waiting for you at the end of the day. We like to serve it with fresh-baked garlic bread. —Marina Ashworth, Denver, Colorado

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    29/30

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll

    Come home to the heavenly aroma of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls! This better-for-you version tastes just as decadent as a regular cinnamon roll, but it smartly sneaks in some whole grains. —Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

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    30/30

    Taste of Home

    Candied Fruit Cookies

    These no-fuss candied fruit cookies are both nutty and fruity, so they're always a hit at holiday time. —Florence Monson, Denver, Colorado

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    Originally Published: July 02, 2018

    The Best Recipes from Colorado (29)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    The Best Recipes from Colorado (2024)

    FAQs

    Does Colorado have a special food? ›

    Colorado style green chili

    Chili verde is a big deal here in Colorado, and the regional pork-dominated dish is served over everything from enchiladas to rice to burritos, stews tacos and just about anything you want.

    What is Colorado's most famous dish? ›

    The number one most famous food in Colorado is Rocky Mountain Oysters. Somewhat of an acquired taste, this is the “exotic” dish I alluded to earlier. What is this? Sometimes called prairie oysters, cowboy caviar, swinging beef, or meat balls, these oysters have nothing to do with seafood.

    What do elk eat in the Rockies? ›

    Rocky Mountain Elk are herbivores and feed on a wide variety of plants including grasses, shrubs, trees, and flowers. They are ruminants and have a four-chambered stomach in order to properly digest their plant-based diet.

    What do squirrels eat in the Rocky Mountains? ›

    Depending on the time of year, the rodents may eat tender leaf buds, wild fruits, nuts and acorns, bird eggs, seed crops, or even tree bark. Many species of tree squirrels store pieces of food for later consumption. When presented with the opportunity, squirrels will also snack on human leftovers and garbage.

    What eats Rocky Mountain elk? ›

    Coyotes, bobcats, and black bears may kill young, sick, or injured elk, but adult elk are generally safe from predators in the park. Gray wolves and mountain lions, both of which have been extirpated from the Great Smoky Mountains, are successful predators of elk elsewhere.

    What is the state food of Colorado? ›

    Colorado does not have an official state food, but like other states, it has created a name for itself based on its production of certain produce. The town of Rocky Ford is the self-proclaimed "melon capital of the world" growing both cantaloupe and watermelon.

    What is Colorado's native food? ›

    rocky mountain oysters. fish, colorado has unique fish, and elk, moose, black tail deer, mule deer. green chili is very popular. its very good here too.

    What is the official state meal of Colorado? ›

    Colorado has yet to declare an official state food, but many associate the Centennial State with green chiles.

    What is the iconic food of Denver? ›

    Bison, one of Colorado's most notable game meats, is an iconic Denver food that makes appearances across the menu in dishes ranging from Italian bison meatballs and bison chili to burgers, pastrami and of course, bison steak.

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