Is there anything better than a delicious steak chili? I wouldn't usually just buy delicious cuts of NY Strip Steaks to use in a chili, but to be honest, it was a Costco-sized pack and after a few nights of steak, I wanted to get creative. BUT, the great news is, they make pre-cut cubes of steak (or even stew meat would work for this, especially in the crockpot), so it's really a versatile dinner option that can still be LOW COST. Especially with the cost of groceries right now.
This steak turned out so good. I used a combination of black beans and pinto beans, but honestly, kidney beans or all pinto beans or all black beans would be just fine. In a hearty chili like this, the sauce, seasoning and meat are stealing the show, not the beans ;)
It was rich, well-spiced, but not spicy which is so important when I'm feeding the kiddos, and it made a huge batch. Definitely a must-try if you're looking for some good cold-weather food to put on the table.
There are probably about a billion chili recipes out there. Maybe more. I've tried quite a few, however, I find the best option is to just go with the flow when it comes to the seasonings. Keep the basics the same, always. Salt and pepper, chili powder, oregano. The rest is up for debate. Veggies. Beans. Tomato sauce.
I like a thick chili so I don't do much in the way of "watering" it down with beef broth. To me, if you have enough vegetables in it, they add depth of flavor and will create enough sauce. All you need is some high-quality tomato sauce and whole peeled tomatoes to get the consistency a chili needs.
I loved this one because of the bites of steak and the notes of pork throughout it. It created a richness that I've yet to be able to achieve with a lower-fat meat. It's definitely worth it.
How to Make It:
The Meat:
There are so many options here! Ground sirloin. Leftover grilled NY Strip Steak (this is what I used), cubed steak, stew meat...you name it. If you choose a tougher cut though, ie, cubed steak or stew meat, definitely opt for a longer simmer time or the crockpot. It's guaranteed to take a cheaper cut of steak and tenderize it to the point that it's melt-in-your-mouth tender. The addition of pork was an added bonus, but ground turkey or beef would also be great options.
The Beans:
Free choice. Not often does one say that but honest, the beans function as a thickener in this chili and it's not a big deal which ones you choose. I had a can of White Northern Beans and a can of Black Beans in my pantry. So that's what I used. I rarely use 2 cans of beans for chili and am not a big bean person in general, so it isn't something I typically have on-hand. It worked. Use what you have!
The Seasonings:
This is so versatile. The goal with chili is to get enough bite but not too much that any one seasoning is overpowering. Usually it's a 2:1 with chili powder and everything else. Plus enough salt to ensure everything is seasoned well. But again, very versatile. If you don't have chili powder, but have Chipotle Chili Powder and enjoy a good kick at the end, do it!
The Spice:
Or lack thereof. Again, up to you and your preferences. Want to take it up a notch? Throw in a spicy pepper, or chili pepper flakes. Or use Chipotle Chili Powder.
My favorite part about this recipe too is that it's a dump and go recipe when it comes to the crockpot. I'm a busy mom and the kids make dinner time when witching hours are still a thing, next to impossible. I tend to cook during my little guy's nap time OR assemble dinners on the go of pre-cooked ingredients. With chili all I had to do was brown meat, chop veggies, drain a few cans of beans and dump some tomato sauce in. I threw it in the crockpot for 8 hours and by the time dinner time rolled around I was done. I highly recommend it :)
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