History

The Pueblo chile relleno entered Denver kitchens through Pueblo-immigrated families in the 1920s and 1930s. The Mexican-American kitchens along Federal Boulevard and in Globeville carried it through the 20th century. La Loma, opened in 1973 on Osage by the Castro family, set the Denver template for the dish. Modern versions at Tamayo, Adelitas and Las Delicias rotate between traditional cheese-stuffed and modern picadillo or chorizo variations.

Book a food experience

Tours, tastings and classes from the cities on this page, bookable on GetYourGuide.

Browse every bookable food experience

Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs

Make it at home

Yield 4Hands-on 45 minTotal 1 hr 15 minDifficulty Intermediate

Ingredients

  • 8 large Pueblo or Hatch green chiles (poblano substitutes if needed)
  • 300g Monterey Jack cheese, cut in finger-shaped sticks
  • 4 large eggs, separated
  • 60g all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • Salt
  • Vegetable oil for shallow-frying
  • 500ml green chile sauce
  • 100g shredded cheddar for finishing

Method

  1. Char chiles directly over a gas flame or under a broiler until skins blister and blacken, turning frequently, 6 to 8 minutes. Tip into a bowl, cover with plastic wrap; rest 10 minutes.
  2. Rub off skins. Cut a vertical slit; remove seeds, keep stem on. Stuff each chile with cheese.
  3. Whisk egg whites with a pinch of salt to soft peaks. Beat yolks separately; fold yolks gently into whites with 1 tablespoon flour.
  4. Heat 1cm of oil in a heavy skillet to 180C (350F).
  5. Dust each stuffed chile in flour; dip in egg batter to coat fully.
  6. Lay in the hot oil, seam-side up. Fry 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden. Drain.
  7. Plate. Ladle hot green chile sauce over. Top with shredded cheddar. Flash under the broiler 60 seconds to melt.

Tip from the editors. Choose chiles with thick walls; thin-skinned Anaheims tear when stuffed. The egg batter must wrap the chile in a single coat; a thin batter pulls away in the oil.

Where to eat pueblo chile relleno

Pueblo chile relleno in Denver

La Loma ★ 4.7

$$ MexicanDowntown

La Loma in Denver is a Castro-family Mexican kitchen since 1973, moved from its longtime Osage Street Victorian to Broadway in 2018, the Denver template.

OrderSmothered green chile burrito with sopapillas.

TipThe bar pours classic margaritas; ask for the Pueblo green chile (hotter than the mild version).

Tamayo ★ 4.3

$$$ Modern MexicanDowntown

Tamayo in Denver is Richard Sandoval's modern Mexican dining room on Larimer Square since 2001, a rooftop patio anchor for upscale tacos, ceviche and tequila.

OrderThe tableside guacamole and the cochinita pibil with Yucatan-style achiote; flight of mezcal to pair.

TipThe rooftop patio runs March through October with mountain views; book it three weeks ahead. The bar is open for walk-ins.

Adelitas Cocina y Cantina ★ 4.2

$$ MexicanSouth Broadway

Adelitas Cocina y Cantina in Denver is Adelita Diaz's South Broadway regional-Mexican dining room since 2011, with a mezcal-and-tequila bar.

OrderThe chiles en nogada in fall and the cochinita pibil; mezcal flight pours from rare Oaxacan agaves.

TipWalk-in at the bar; reservations for the dining room go on Resy. The cantina pours late on weekends.

Las Delicias ★ 4.3

$ Street food

Las Delicias in Denver is the Uptown Mexican counter and family room since 1974, with carne adovada burritos, chile rellenos and a Westword Best of nod.

TryCarne adovada burrito

All Denver signature dishes →

More cities are in research. Want pueblo chile relleno covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

Browse all dishes →