This Easy Steak Chili is the ideal recipe for utilizing leftover prime rib or steaks from previous meals. This recipe combines leftover steak with simple pantry staples to create a hearty and satisfying dish. One of the best ways to use leftover steaks, you can also mix in ground beef for some added texture. This chili is a rich, flavorful experience with minimal prep time.

Chili with Leftover Steak

Our easy Steak Chili is a robust and comforting meal perfect for any day of the week. You can use many different types of beef, making it a practical choice for using leftovers effectively. The dish incorporates a blend of spices, beans, and tomatoes that combine during the cooking process, resulting in deep, complex flavors. This recipe is particularly great for busy cooks looking for a straightforward and delicious dinner option.

Using ground beef and leftover steak or prime rib, beans, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a wonderful package seasoning mix, you can throw this together in literally minutes and your hearty, delicious dinner will be ready in about an hour.

One of the great things about my easy steak chili is it is so versatile. You can make it hot or mild according to your preference. I like to have a selection of hot sauces to put out with the chili so that everyone can customize it according to their own love (or hate) of all things hot.

Try our Smoked Over The Top Chili!

Steak Chili shopping list

Wondering if you have to hit the store? Here’s the list of items you’ll need to make this recipe. For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

• Steak
• Ground Beef
• Oil
• Onion Powder
• Garlic Powder
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Stewed Tomatoes
• Tomato Sauce
• Water
• Chili Kit
• Pinto Beans
• Chili Beans
• Cheese
• Sour Cream

Try our Smoked Cincinnati Chili!

How To Make Steak Chili

1. Prep the Meat: Season raw meat with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Brown in a large pot with oil. For pre-cooked meat, simply cube and set aside.
2. Combine Ingredients: Add stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and the contents of the chili kit to the pot.
3. Simmer: Allow the mixture to simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add Beans: Stir in the drained pinto and chili beans and continue to cook until everything is heated through.
5. Serve: Garnish with sour cream and shredded cheese before serving.

Serve with Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread Muffins!

Steak Chili FAQ

What kind of steak works best for this dish?

You can use any cut of steak for this chili. Sirloin, t-bone, prime rib, flat iron, even leftover roast beef.

If you don’t happen to have leftovers, you can use diced beef chuck or stew meat as well. This cut is used for stewing as it’s a tougher cut of meat but becomes tender when cooked for long periods over low heat. It adds more beef flavor than ground beef alone, adding to the beefy richness of your chili. If you use stew meat prepare for a longer cook time.

What are some events where you can serve chili?

Chili is a perfect choice to serve at a Super Bowl Party, alongside my Traeger Smoked and Fried Chicken Wings and my Buffalo Chicken Dip! Or as a meal in itself on those cold, dreary days. Just the thing to perk everyone up after a long fall or winter day.

You can also set up a chili bar using all kinds of different toppings. Ceramic soup mugs with handles work great for this. See the list down the post for ideas for stir-ins and fixings you can include.

What kind of beans work best for this recipe?

Depending on what kind of chili you’re making, almost any bean can be delicious. I really like a mix of pinto beans and chili beans. For white chili, great northern beans are the way to go. Kidney beans and black beans are also great options in a tomato-centric chili.

I prefer to use a mixture. I used Bush’s Best Mixed Chili Beans, which contain both kidney and pinto beans in a mild chili seasoning. You can use any variety you’d like, though. Plus, beans are one of the healthiest foods you can eat! They are nutrient-dense, fiber-rich, and low in saturated fat.

What kind of seasonings go in chili?

There are a ton of different options for pre-mixed chili seasoning. I really like the one in the recipe below, but you can also make your own quite easily too. There are also many, many recipes for homemade chili seasoning. It all depends on your personal preference and what you have on-hand.

The basic seasonings used are chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. I used Carroll Shelby’s Chili Kit in this chili. You can find this brand at almost any store, and it comes with an extra packet of cayenne so you can control the heat.

Smoked Over The Top No Bean Chili

Cooking Methods

Another great thing about chili is that you can make it using many different cooking methods whether it be on your stovetop, in a crockpot, or in your Instant Pot! Whichever you choose, it will produce a wonderful, warm meal for your family to enjoy.

Tips For Cooking In The Instant Pot

• Use the sauté feature to brown the ground beef and/or uncooked steak
• Don’t pressure cook the beans. Stir those in last and let simmer using the sauté mode until they are warmed through

Tips For Cooking In The Slow Cooker

• Cook this for 2-3 hours on high BEFORE adding the beans
• Let the beans go for about 30 minutes on low as the last step in the cook

How about a Classic Margarita?

More Great Recipes With Spice

• Spicy Chorizo Jalapeño Poppers
• One Pot Spicy Sausage and Peppers Pasta
• Spicy Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry
• Spicy Grilled Galbi Recipe
• Spicy Smoked Pork Ribs
• Pellet Grill Spicy BBQ Pork Tenderloin
• Spicy Tonkotsu Miso Ramen