Looking for a quick and easy, delicious bowl of comfort food today?  Maybe it’s raining or snowing outside, you’re in the mood for something to warm you up?  This Easy Steak Chili is just what you’re looking for!

Easy Steak Chili

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.

Where should I 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 steak can I use for this chili?

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 kind of beans can I use in chili?

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. For this Easy Steak Chili, I used Bush’s Best Mixed Chili Beans, which contain both kidney beans 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 and fiber-rich, and low in saturated fat.

What kind of seasonings should I use for 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.

What’s the best way to cook chili?

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

Tips for adapting to the Instant Pot

• Use the saute 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 saute mode until they are warmed through

Tips for adapting to the Crock Pot

• Figure 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

What should I serve with my chili?

Grilled Corn Cakes with Honey Butter!
These little babies are less crumbly than traditional cornbread but have alll the same flavors.

What else can I serve with Steak Chili?

• Buttered French bread slices
• Saltine crackers, oyster crackers or even Goldfish crackers for the kids work well
• Fritos or Doritos are a great crunchy choice to top off your chili
• Hot dogs and hot dog buns……can we say CHILIDOG?
• A variety of cheeses, such as shredded Mexican or cheddar
• Sliced avocado
• Shredded lettuce
• Chopped tomatoes
• Guacamole
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Sliced green onion or scallions

What drinks go with Chili?

For the kids?

I would choose Ginger ale, Root Beer, or Cream Soda and small bottles of water kept chilled in a big bowl of ice.

For the adults?

Beer, such as an amber lager or dry stout. A margarita would be great with a big spicy bowl of chili. If you prefer wine, a good red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with chili.

What can I serve for dessert?

Try my Fresh Apple Crisp recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth, my Cheesecake dip, or these delicious chocolate cupcakes.

Sliced apples with caramel dipping sauce would also be a good end to a great spicy meal.

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