Des

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Hearty Beef Chili

Easy Beef Chili Recipe loaded with all kinds of goodies like chuck steak, ground beef, pinto beans and green chilies. A perfect hearty meal for cold days.

When it comes to cold winter days there is nothing more comforting than a bowl of beef chili, am I right? Just the scent of it simmering on the stove all day is enough to make everyone’s mouth water.

Everybody loves a great chili. I mean after all, there are actual contests carried out across the United States each year to determine the “best chili recipe”. Everyone, of course, has their own definition of “the best”.  Some like no meat, some like chicken. And then of course there is all the hubaloo about whether or not there should be beans.

Spoonful of chili.

In my opinion? There is no wrong. Gimme ALL THE CHILI. This beef chili recipe is my family’s favorite. And today I am going to show you just how easy it is to make as well as my secret ingredient to making the perfect bowl of beef chili.

What ingredients do you need to make the perfect beef chili recipe?

Ingredients needed to make chili.

CHUCK STEAK AND GROUND BEEF: This is one of my first secrets to a great bowl of chili: two kinds of beef. Using chuck steak pieces and ground beef gives a great texture and extra heartiness to your chili.

FLOUR: I use this to coat the chuck steak before browning. It gives the chuck steak a crust as well as helping the chili thicken as it cooks.

ONION/JALAPEÑO/GARLIC: The jalapeño is totally optional. If you want to make it a little less spicy, simply remove the seeds before adding it to the pan.

DARK BEER: This is my secret ingredient! I love adding beer to chili. Especially a dark beer. It gives it such a deep, rich flavor.

BEEF BROTH: Use low sodium so that you can control the salt content.

TOMATO SAUCE/TOMATO PASTE: These give the chili the tomato flavor you’re accustomed to.

FIRE ROASTED DICED TOMATOES: You could certainly use regular diced tomatoes but the fire roasted tomatoes add an extra smoky flavor.

KIDNEY BEANS: Kidney beans are traditional in most chili recipes you see but you can also use a can of “chili beans” that are in a tomato sauce.

DICED GREEN CHILIES: Don’t worry about these adding any heat, the chilies are pretty mild.

CUMIN/CHILI POWDER/GRANULATED GARLIC: Cumin and chili powder are classic seasonings needed to make chili. For the granulated garlic, you can also use garlic powder.

Step by Step Photos and Instructions:

Beef Chili can sometimes seem intimidating because there are lots of ingredients but it is actually pretty easy to make. After browning the beef chuck and ground beef you add everything to the pot and let it simmer. Follow along with these step by step photos and instructions to see just how easy it is.

Step by step photos showing how to make beef chili

STEP #1: In a medium bowl add steak, flour and season with a little salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir to coat the meat. Set aside.

STEP #2: In a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat brown the ground beef. Once it has browned strain the meat. Set aside. Add olive oil to the pot and then brown the diced chuck steak. Remove steak from pot and reserve any juices left over in the pot from the steak.

STEP #3: Add the onions, jalapeño and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. This is going to add a ton of flavor to the chili.

STEP #4: Add the beer to deglaze the pot. Be sure to scrape up the bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil.

DES’ TIP: Deglazing the pot is important! All of the brown bits at the bottom of the pan are called “fond”. They are loaded with flavor. 

STEP #6:  Add the remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and ground beef and chuck to the pot.  Simmer for about 2 hours or until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Of course, you cannot forget the toppings! Around here we love to top our chili with shredded cheddar, onions and sour cream.

Overhead photo of chili in a bowl with toppings.

Looking for something to serve alongside this chili?

Sweet Cornbread Muffins

Skillet Cornbread 

Buttermilk Biscuits Recipe

If you love this Beef Chili Recipe, you’ll love these other soup recipes! Perfect to warm up on a cool day!

Ham and Potato Soup 

New England Clam Chowder Recipe

Roasted Garlic Soup

Beef Stew with Red Wine

Beef Barley Soup

Note: This recipe was originally posted in 2008. It was updated in 2022 with new photos, step by step instructions and photos.

Close up photo of beef chili in a bowl.

Hearty Beef Chili

Easy Beef Chili Recipe loaded with all kinds of goodies like chuck steak, ground beef, pinto beans and green chilies. A perfect hearty meal for cold days.
5 from 3 votes
Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 2 hrs 15 mins
Total Time 2 hrs 30 mins
Course Main Dishes
Cuisine American
Servings 6 Servings
Calories 1066 kcal

Ingredients
  

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 pounds beef chuck steak diced into 1/2 inch pieces
  • 2 tablespoons of flour
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 tablespoons avocado oil
  • 1/2 onion diced
  • 1 jalapeño diced (optional)
  • 3 cloves garlic diced
  • 6 oz dark beer
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 15oz can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced, fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 15oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 7 oz an diced green chiles
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Shredded cheese diced onions and sour cream for topping

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl add steak, flour and season with a little salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir to coat the meat. Set aside.
  • In a large pot or dutch oven over medium heat brown the ground beef. Once it has browned strain the meat. Set aside.
  • Add olive oil to the pot and then brown the diced chuck steak. Remove steak from pot and reserve any juices left over in the pot from the steak.
  • Add the onions, jalapeño and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
  • Add the beer to deglaze the pot. Be sure to scrape up the bits from the bottom. Bring to a boil.
  • Add the remaining ingredients (except garnishes) and ground beef and steak to the pot.
  • Simmer for about 2 hours or until thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese, onions, jalapeños and sour cream.

Notes

Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 1066kcalCarbohydrates: 39.9gProtein: 120.5gFat: 44.5gSaturated Fat: 16.6gCholesterol: 368mgSodium: 1004mgFiber: 12.6gSugar: 15.4g
Tried this recipe?Mention @lifesambrosia or tag #lifesambrosia!
Keywords: beans, beef, chili, soup

Leave a Comment

Recipe Rating




  • Reply
    Lisa
    February 4, 2023 at 2:19 pm

    5 stars
    This has become our go to chili recipe for many years now! So delicious. Any ideas on how to lower the sugar without totally compromising the recipe? Mid 40’s now and trying to lose weight. Hoping to not banish this meal in the meantime!

  • Reply
    color tunnel
    October 17, 2022 at 9:56 pm

    fantastic chili recipe I adore steak and spicy beef, i love it

  • Reply
    Susan
    January 22, 2021 at 1:25 pm

    5 stars
    This was a huge hit – it was delicious and easy to make. I skipped the jalapeno peppers and the kids even ate it (they are pretty picky).

    • Reply
      Deseree
      January 22, 2021 at 2:01 pm

      Yay! I am so happy to hear this! My kiddos love it too!

  • Reply
    David
    December 19, 2020 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    I’ve been making this for a few years now. Very easy, SUPER delicious. There are a million chili recipes out there, but this is my go-to. Thanks for posting it.

    • Reply
      Deseree
      December 21, 2020 at 11:27 pm

      David- You are so welcome! So flattered that of all the recipes out there you keep coming back to mine, thank you!! :)

  • Reply
    cheryl
    December 30, 2009 at 6:08 pm

    its was so goog\d

    • Reply
      Deseree
      December 30, 2009 at 8:03 pm

      I’m glad you liked it Cheryl!

  • Reply
    Christi
    December 7, 2008 at 9:53 pm

    Hi Des, great chili recipe! Love the steak and chili meat combo, good luck with the blog :)

  • Des

    Hey! I'm Des!

    Welcome to Life’s Ambrosia where Dinner is served and memories are made. Here you will find over 1000 tried and true recipes for every possible occasion. In the last 10 years, this blog has helped millions of families put dinner on the table and create food memories. Let me help you too.

    Read more »

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