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This steak chili is a hearty beef chili that will warm you up (and fill you up) on cold days. The large chunks of beef are melt-in-your-mouth tender! This is an easy recipe to use when you are trying to feed a crowd.
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This Steak Chili recipe is a hearty beef chili with chunks of tenderly cooked stew meat. This unique chili recipe comes from our Uncle Ralph, who made it for our family when we were visiting him in Arizona. The tender pieces of sirloin steak with a smoky mixture of spices are perfection. He was kind enough to share the recipe with us. It is definitely a family favorite!
Ingredients in Steak Chili
This simple steak chili is so thick and savory, and very easy to make! Here’s all you need:
- Canola oil – This is used to heat and saute the meat in the skillet. Canola oil is lighter than vegetable oil but still has a flavorful taste to it.
- Beef stew meat – Use beef chuck roast in place of ground beef for this recipe. Cut the meat into 2-inch cubes, then sear and cook diced chuck roast in a skillet. Once the beef is browned place the beef in the pan.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves have a softer, more subtle, and less flavor compared to garlic powder.
- Chili powder – With chili, it’s go big or go home! This chili powder gives that kick of spice to the chili that everyone always loves.
- Dried oregano – Rich in flavor giving the chili recipe a savory and earthy flavor combination.
- Cumin – Ground cumin gives a hearty and even citrusy flavor.
- Red chili paste – Added in for heat and a little spice! This paste is also a thickener as well as gives the chili a nice, rich, red coloring.
- Beef broth – Gives a flavored liquid to the chili that helps with the cooking.
- Cornmeal – Thickens the chili with that buttery soft texture and thick consistency.
- Red beans – Drain the red beans and even rinse them before pouring in the dutch oven to cook. You could also use kidney beans.
- Black pepper and kosher salt – to taste
Variations to Steak Chili
- Make double or triple batches of this recipe, depending on how big of a group you are serving. A single recipe makes about eight servings. If you are serving a crowd, pour it over rice to stretch out the budget even more!
- Swap out the steak for pork roast for a yummy pork chili.
- This steak chili can easily be turned into a slow cooker steak chili recipe! Just sear the chunks of beef in a skillet, then add the rest of the ingredients to your crock pot.
Garnishes for Steak Chili
Make this a complete meal with all the toppings and side dishes!
- We like to garnish our chili with sour cream and cheese.
- Add chopped red onions, green bell pepper, diced tomatoes and slices of avocado.
- Serve with a side of lime wedges to squeeze lime juice into the bowl of chili.
- Serve with a side of Cake-y Cornbread.
- Top with corn chips or tortilla chips.
- Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Make it More or Less Spicy
I love recipes like this one because you can easily adjust the spice level to make this a family-friendly dish. If your family doesn’t like spicy chili, you can leave out the red pepper sauce and only use 3 tablespoons of chili powder instead of 4. Add a dash or two of hot sauce, a tsp of chipotle pepper, or even a tsp of ground cinnamon for extra spice.
On the other hand, if they do like spice, feel free to add more red pepper sauce. You can also add crushed red pepper flakes or diced chiles to steak chili for an extra kick. We like the flavor of Frank’s Red Hot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce in this chili.
Chili Cook-Offs
Many states in the country pride themselves on chili cook-offs. These competitive events have spread all over the United States, where home cooks and skilled chefs alike prepare and present their best chili recipes for a panel of judges or whatever group they’re cooking for. Churches, schools, and other community groups turn chili tasting into a huge and fun event. Some chili cook-offs feature special challenges, such as a “hottest chili” contest or a “people’s choice” award, where attendees can vote for their favorite chili.
Tip: If you want to win your chili cook-off, use this recipe! It’s known to have won many a chili contest.
“I could eat this all week long! I make a toppings bar for my family to load up and customize their own bowls at dinner. Such a family favorite.”
-Jen
What to do with Leftover Steak Chili
For storage, leftover chili needs to be cooled completely before placing in an airtight container, and kept in the refrigerator for three to five days. You can keep in it in the freezer for up to two months. To reheat, thaw frozen chili in the fridge overnight, then heat on the stove at medium high heat or pop it in the microwave until it’s heated all the way through.
More Ways to Serve Steak Chili
- Serve chili over a large baked potato
- Pile chili over rice
- Add a scoop of chili over crushed Fritos for a Frito pie type dish
- Make a chili pizza by spreading a thick layer of the soup over a flat pan of cornbread.
- Layer chili with fresh flour or corn tortillas.
Frequently Asked Question about Steak Chili
Chuck roast is an ideal cut of meat for stew and chili. While it’s a tough cut of beef, it it’s the perfect cut of meat for the low-and-slow way to cook perfect steak chili.
To get the meat fall apart tender, you can sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto the meat and let it sit while you prep the other ingredients. It can help lock in moisture and create a tender texture for the chili.
The most common spices in chili are cumin, chili powder and paprika. But you an also add garlic, onion, coriander, oregano or bay leaves for extra flavor.
Read More: 35+ Easy Dinner Recipes
More Chili Recipes
Whether it includes beans or not, there are all kinds of chili recipes that are hearty, spicy and filling. Try some of our favorites:
How to Make Steak Chili
Steak Chili
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 3 pounds beef stew meat cut into ½ inch cubes
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon red chili paste
- 1 quart beef broth
- 1/3 cup cornmeal
- 3 cans red beans drained
For garnish (optional)
- sour cream
- shredded cheddar cheese
- white onion chopped
- sliced jalapeños
Instructions
- Heat oil in large skillet. Add beef and brown on all sides.
- Drain well and put beef into a large stock pot. Add garlic, chili powder, salt, oregano, cumin, red chili paste, and beef broth. Stir well and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in cornmeal and beans.
- Simmer uncovered for 30 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Serve immediately. Garnish with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.
Notes
- Serve chili over a large baked potato
- Pile chili over rice
- Add a scoop of chili over crushed Fritos for a Frito pie type dish
- Make a chili pizza by spreading a thick layer of the soup over a flat pan of cornbread.
- Layer chili with fresh flour or corn tortillas.
