Hearty Beef Chuck Chili – Slow-Simmered Comfort Food

Hearty Beef Chuck Chili – Slow-Simmered Comfort Food
Chuck beef chili

Chuck Beef Chili

Slow braised chuck chili
Servings: 6 people
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients
  

Beef & Base
  • 2 lbs Chuck Beef trimmed and cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt & black pepper to season
Aromatics:
  • 1 large onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 1 jalapeño minced (optional)
Liquids:
  • 1 12 oz can or bottle dark beer (porter, stout, or amber works great)
  • 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth
Spices
  • 3 tbsp chili powder or your homemade warm blend
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp coriander
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp Szechuan or crushed red pepper flakes optional heat
  • 1 tsp MSG to enhance umami without extra salt
  • Salt to taste start with ½ tsp and adjust
optional ingriedents
  • 1 can 15 oz kidney or pinto beans, drained
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste for richness
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar or molasses to balance acidity

Equipment

  • Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. Sear the steak:
  2. Pat the flank steak cubes dry with paper towels.
  3. Heat olive oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  4. Season with salt and pepper and sear the beef in batches until browned on all sides (do not overcrowd). Remove and set aside.
  5. Sauté aromatics:
  6. In the same pot, add onion, garlic, and peppers. Sauté 5–6 minutes until softened and golden.
  7. Deglaze with beer:
  8. Pour in the beer, scraping up any browned bits. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
  9. Build the chili:
  10. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, chili powder, cumin, paprika, coriander, pepper, and MSG.
  11. Stir in the seared flank steak and bring to a low simmer.
  12. Slow simmer:
  13. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the steak is tender and the sauce has thickened.
  14. Finish:
  15. Stir in beans if using and cook another 10 minutes.
  16. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and a splash of lime juice or vinegar for balance.

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