Description
Hearty cowboy chili brings robust southwestern flavors to your dinner table. Ranch-style ingredients combine with rich beef and bold spices for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg (2 lbs) beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 500 ml (2 cups) beef broth
- 2 cans (400g each) diced tomatoes
- 2 cans (400g each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 2 tbsps chili powder
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapenos, green onions
Instructions
- Sear beef chuck cubes in hot olive oil over medium-high heat until rich golden-brown, developing deep caramelized exterior. Transfer browned meat to a separate plate.
- Using the same pot, sauté diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle aromatic spices including chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper into the vegetable mixture. Toast spices for 1-2 minutes to enhance their intense flavors.
- Reintroduce seared beef chunks into the spiced vegetable base. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently fold kidney beans into the robust mixture.
- Elevate temperature to initiate boiling, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover pot and allow chili to simmer for 2-3 hours, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking.
- During final cooking hour, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Consider incorporating optional flavor enhancers like crispy bacon, rich dark beer, or deep dark chocolate for complexity.
- Ladle steaming hot chili into serving bowls. Garnish with preferred toppings such as shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, or tangy sour cream.
Notes
- Boost meat tenderness by selecting well-marbled chuck roast with good fat content for rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Control heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper amount, ensuring balanced spiciness without overwhelming flavors.
- Enhance depth by incorporating unexpected ingredients like dark chocolate or coffee, which add complexity and subtle richness.
- Prepare make-ahead friendly version by allowing chili to cool completely and storing in refrigerator, where flavors will continue developing overnight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 405 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg