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.
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
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
Easy Chili
Crockpot White Chicken Chili
Instant Pot Chili
Mexican Chili
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