🌶️ 1. Hatch, NM — The Heart of Green Chile
• Known For: Hatch chile farms, central hub of the chile world
• Must Visit:
• Hatch Chile Festival (early September)
• Sparky’s BBQ & Espresso
• Hatch Chile Express
• Photo Op: Giant chile statues, roasters in the street.
Map Hatch, NM
🌶️ 2. Las Cruces, NM
• Known For: Roasting events, NMSU Chile Pepper Institute
• Must Visit:
• Farmers & Crafts Market (with chile roasters)
• La Posta de Mesilla
• The Shed Chile Store
• Bonus: Chile Pepper Institute tasting garden.
Map Las Cruces, NM
🌶️ 3. Socorro, NM
• Known For: Local farms and authentic green chile dishes
• Must Visit:
• Socorro Farmers Market
• Bodega Burger Co.
• Socorro Springs Brewery (green chile beer!)
• Stop for: Chile roasting in late summer.
Map Socorro, NM
🌶️ 4. Albuquerque, NM
• Known For: Diverse green chile food culture
• Must Visit:
• Frontier Restaurant (green chile breakfast burritos)
• Sadie’s of New Mexico
• Green Chile Cheeseburger Trail (multiple locations)
• El Pinto Restaurant & Salsa Factory
• Events: Local roasting events in grocery store parking lots.
Map Albuquerque, NM
🌶️ 5. Bernalillo & Corrales, NM
• Known For: Farm-to-table chile at local markets
• Must Visit:
• Corrales Growers Market
• Range Café (Bernalillo)
• Vibe: Small town charm, chile with craft flair.
Map Bernalillo, NM
Map Corrales, NM
🌶️ 6. Santa Fe, NM
• Known For: High-end green chile cuisine + artful presentation
• Must Visit:
• Tomasita’s (classic NM fare)
• Santa Fe Farmers Market (Railyard)
• The Shed Restaurant (not to be confused with Las Cruces’ “The Shed”)
• Event: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta (September).
Map Santa Fe, NM
🌶️ 7. Española, NM
• Known For: Northern NM chile farms & family traditions
• Must Visit:
• El Paragua
• JoAnn’s Ranch O Casados
• Flavor Profile: More intense, often fire-roasted red & green mix.
Map Española, NM
🌶️ 8. Chimayó, NM
• Known For: Sacred traditions & heirloom chile varieties
• Must Visit:
• Rancho de Chimayó
• Ortega’s Chile Farm
• Historical: Blend of indigenous and Spanish chile-growing heritage.
Map Chimayo, NM
🌶️ 9. Taos, NM
• Known For: Mountain chile cuisine & fusion dishes
• Must Visit:
• Michael’s Kitchen
• Taos Mesa Brewing
• Taos Farmers Market (seasonal chile stands).
Map Taos, NM
Bonus Stops:
• Deming, NM – Great roadside roasters in season
• Silver City, NM – Chile at elevation, local variety
• Gallup, NM – Navajo green chile stews and traditional dishes.Map Deming, NM
Map Silver City, NM
Map Gallup, NM
🌟 Frontier Restaurant – Albuquerque
• 🔥 Famous For: Green chile breakfast burritos & sweet rolls
• 👥 Crowd: Locals, UNM students, chile tourists
• 🧭 Open late, right across from the university.Map Frontier Restaurant
Frontier Website
🌟 The Shed – Santa Fe
• 🔥 Famous For: Green chile enchiladas and award-winning red
• 🏆 James Beard Award-winning
• 🎨 Located just off the Santa Fe Plaza in a historic adobe.Map The Shed Restaurant
The Shed Website
🌟 Tomasita’s – Santa Fe & Albuquerque
• 🔥 Famous For: Green chile-stuffed sopaipillas
• 🏅 Local staple since the 1970s
• 🧉 Get the margarita with green chile salt rim.
Map Tomasita’s
Tomasita’s Website
🌟 Sadie’s of New Mexico – Albuquerque
• 🔥 Famous For: Monster-sized green chile plates & fiery salsa
• 🧪 Warning: their green chile salsa is HOT — approach with caution.Map Sadie’s
Sadie’s Website
🌟 Sparky’s BBQ & Espresso – Hatch
• 🔥 Famous For: Green chile cheeseburgers
• 📸 Instagram-famous roadside kitsch (giant statues)
• 🍔 Stop here during Hatch Chile Festival.Map Sparky’s
Sparky’s Website
🌟 El Paragua – Española
• 🔥 Famous For: Traditional Northern NM dishes w/ deep chile flavors
• 🏠 Began as a taco stand under an umbrella in 1958
• 🌮 Try: Green chile tacos or carne adovada.
Map El Paragua
El Paragua Website
🌟 Rancho de Chimayó – Chimayó
• 🔥 Famous For: Green chile chicken enchiladas
• 🏆 James Beard America’s Classics Award
• 🧡 Family-run adobe restaurant near the historic Santuario de Chimayó.
Map Rancho de Chimayo
Rancho de Chimayó Website
🌟 La Choza – Santa Fe
• 🔥 Famous For: Spicier green chile than The Shed (same family)
• 🧑🍳 House-made chile, beans, & tamales
• 🪑 More casual but just as beloved.
Map La Choza
La Choza Website
🍔 Owl Bar & Café – San Antonio, NM
• 🔥 Famous For: Original green chile cheeseburger
• 🏺 Established 1945
• ☢️ Sits near Trinity Site (first atomic bomb test).
Map Owl Bar
Owl Bar Website
🍔 Buckhorn Tavern – San Antonio, NM
• 🔥 Famous For: Bobby Flay throwdown winner
• 🏆 Featured on Food Network
• 🆚 Known as the rival to the Owl Bar across the street.Map Buckhorn Tavern
Buckhorn Tavern Website
🥘 Duran Central Pharmacy – Albuquerque
• 🔥 Famous For: Green chile stew in a working pharmacy
• 🧪 Best place to get your meds and a burrito.Map Duran Central Pharmacy
Duran’s Website
🌶️ 1. Green Chile Pork Stew (Classic New Mexico Style)Ingredients:
• 2 lbs pork shoulder (cubed)
• 2 cups roasted Hatch green chiles (chopped)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt & pepper to tasteInstructions:
1. Brown pork in a Dutch oven.
2. Add onion, garlic, cumin; cook until soft.
3. Stir in green chiles and broth.
4. Simmer 1.5–2 hours until pork is tender.
5. Serve with tortillas or over rice.📝 Tip: Make it the day before—flavor improves overnight!
🧀 2. Green Chile Mac & CheeseIngredients:
• 1 lb elbow macaroni
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup pepper jack cheese
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup roasted green chiles (chopped)
• Salt & pepper to tasteInstructions:
1. Cook pasta and set aside.
2. In a saucepan, melt butter, whisk in flour.
3. Slowly whisk in milk to make a béchamel.
4. Add cheeses and green chiles until melted.
5. Combine with pasta and serve hot.🔥 Optional: Top with crispy breadcrumbs and broil for a golden crust.
🍳 3. Green Chile Breakfast BurritosIngredients:
• Scrambled eggs (6 eggs)
• Breakfast sausage or bacon
• Roasted green chiles (sliced)
• Shredded cheese
• Potatoes (diced and fried)
• Flour tortillasInstructions:
1. Cook potatoes, sausage, and eggs.
2. Warm tortillas.
3. Layer fillings: potatoes, sausage, eggs, green chiles, cheese.
4. Roll up and wrap in foil for on-the-go.🧊 Freezer-friendly: Wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.
🥧 4. Green Chile Chicken Pot PieIngredients:
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup roasted green chiles (chopped)
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 1 can cream of chicken soup (or make your own)
• 1 pie crust or puff pastry
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder to tasteInstructions:
1. Mix chicken, green chiles, veggies, and soup.
2. Pour into pie dish and top with crust.
3. Bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes or until golden.🥣 Perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and comforting.
🧂 5. Green Chile Aioli (Dipping Sauce)Ingredients:
• ½ cup mayo
• ¼ cup roasted green chiles (finely minced)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• Juice of ½ lime
• Pinch of cuminInstructions:
1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Chill for 30 mins before serving.
3. Use on burgers, fries, or sandwiches.🥑 Optional: Add mashed avocado for a creamy twist.
Green Chile Cheeseburgers (New Mexico Style)Ingredients:
• 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
• Salt, pepper
• 1 cup roasted green chile, chopped
• 4 slices pepper jack or cheddar cheese
• Hamburger bunsInstructions:
1. Grill patties and season.
2. Add cheese and green chile on top while still hot.
3. Toast buns and assemble with mayo or chipotle sauce.
Green Chile Breakfast CasseroleIngredients:
• 10 eggs
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup roasted green chile, chopped
• ½ cup diced ham or bacon
• ½ cup milk
• Salt, pepperInstructions:
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Pour into a greased 9x13” dish.
3. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes.
4. Serve hot with salsa or sour cream.
Green Chile Chicken EnchiladasIngredients:
• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1½ cups green chile sauce
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
• ½ cup sour creamInstructions:
1. Soften tortillas. Fill with chicken and roll.
2. Place in a baking dish, cover with chile sauce and cheese.
3. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes.
4. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro.
Green Chile Rellenos (Traditional)Ingredients:
• Whole green chiles, roasted and peeled
• Monterey Jack cheese strips
• 2 eggs, separated
• ¼ cup flour
• Oil for fryingInstructions:
1. Stuff chiles with cheese and secure with toothpicks.
2. Whip egg whites until stiff, then fold in yolks and flour.
3. Dip chiles in batter and fry until golden.
4. Serve with red or green chile sauce.
Green Chile CornbreadIngredients:
• 1 box Jiffy cornbread mix
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup green chile, chopped
• ½ cup shredded cheeseInstructions:
1. Mix all ingredients and pour into greased pan.
2. Bake at 400°F for 20–25 minutes.
3. Serve with butter or chile honey.
Green Chile Apple Pie (New Mexico Dessert Fusion)Ingredients:
• 5 apples, sliced
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ cup roasted green chile, chopped
• 1 pie crustInstructions:
1. Mix apple, sugar, cinnamon, and chile.
2. Fill crust, top with second crust or crumb topping.
3. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes.
4. Sweet and spicy fusion!
Regional Green Chile Breakdown: Southwest Heat Map🌶️ 1. Hatch, New Mexico (The Gold Standard)
• Region: Southern NM, Rio Grande Valley
• Type: Hatch Green Chile (varieties include Big Jim, Sandia, Barker, and Lumbre)
• Flavor Profile: Earthy, sweet, smoky, ranges from mild to extra hot
• Claim to Fame: The most famous green chile in the U.S., exported nationwide. Hatch chile festivals are legendary.
• Common Uses: Stews, cheeseburgers, enchiladas, rellenos, salsas📝 Tip for travelers: Try freshly roasted Hatch chiles in August–September during the Hatch Chile Festival.⸻🌶️ 2. Pueblo, Colorado
• Region: Southern Colorado (Arkansas River Valley)
• Type: Pueblo Chile (notably the “Mirasol” variety)
• Flavor Profile: Fruitier and meatier than Hatch, medium heat
• Claim to Fame: Strong local pride and rivalry with Hatch; has its own Pueblo Chile Festival
• Common Uses: Green chile sauce (often with pork), burgers, breakfast burritos📝 Colorado green chile tends to be soupier and more tomato-forward than New Mexico’s version.⸻🌶️ 3. Chimayó, New Mexico
• Region: Northern NM, near Santa Fe
• Type: Chimayó Heirloom Chile
• Flavor Profile: Mild to medium heat, smoky and earthy with a rich, complex flavor
• Claim to Fame: Grown in small batches, often sun-dried and used in powder form; highly prized by chefs and foodies
• Common Uses: Rubs, sauces, and artisan recipes (less commonly roasted fresh)📝 More famous for red chile, but young Chimayó green chiles are beloved in local kitchens.⸻🌶️ 4. Española Valley, New Mexico
• Region: North-central NM
• Type: Local heirloom and hybrid varieties
• Flavor Profile: Balanced flavor, slightly tangy, moderate heat
• Claim to Fame: Often featured in local food competitions; area known for its chile farming heritage
• Common Uses: Salsas, enchiladas, soups⸻🌶️ 5. Arizona (Phoenix & Tucson Regions)
• Region: Central and Southern Arizona
• Type: Anaheims, Big Jims, and some Hatch chile imports
• Flavor Profile: Mild to hot; Arizona often mixes chile types
• Claim to Fame: Arizona doesn’t grow as much green chile but has an evolving fusion food scene (Sonoran hot dogs, green chile burritos)
• Common Uses: Burritos, burgers, and Southwestern fusion dishes📝 Tucson’s “green chile and cheese tamales” are a staple at holiday markets.⸻🌶️ 6. Southern California (San Diego to Palm Springs)
• Region: Southern CA, often sourcing from NM or Baja
• Type: Hatch imports, Anaheim, and California chile
• Flavor Profile: Mild to medium heat, often grilled
• Claim to Fame: SoCal is a hotbed for green chile burgers and Hatch chile pop-ups at farmers markets in late summer
• Common Uses: Grilled chile in tacos, burgers, or stuffed recipes⸻🌶️ 7. West Texas (El Paso and Borderland)
• Region: West Texas and border towns
• Type: Hatch chile and local variants
• Flavor Profile: Similar to Hatch, with influence from Chihuahua, Mexico
• Claim to Fame: Blends Tex-Mex with New Mexican chile culture; green chile cheeseburgers and tacos are big
• Common Uses: Smothered burritos, queso, breakfast tacos
