3-bean and steak chili

Hoover, AL
Updated on Sep 30, 2014

Chili is an intensely personal dish… what may be ‘the world’s best’ for you may not be for others. Having said this, and in an effort not to offend any chili-sensibilities out there, suffice it to say, “This is MY best chili.”

Blue Ribbon Recipe

The flavors of this chili are amazing! There are a lot of spices in this recipe and they're paired perfectly. The textures in this chili were wonderful too. This was a HUGE hit around the test kitchen.

prep time 2 Hr
cook time 4 Hr
method Stove Top
yield 12-15 serving(s)

Ingredients

  • MEAT
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds chuck steak, lean, 1" cubes
  • - salt and pepper to taste
  • BEANS AND SUCH
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 1 large white onion, coarse chopped
  • 1/2 cup reposado (gold or aged) tequila
  • 1 can 28 oz stewed tomato
  • 2 cans 14.5 oz diced tomato
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cans 4.5 oz chopped green chilies
  • 1 jar 14 oz salsa verde
  • 1 can 15.5 oz dark kidney beans
  • 1 can 15.5 oz pinto beans
  • 1 can 15.5 oz black beans
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro-chopped to 1/2 cup or so
  • 5 dashes hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoons adobo with chopped chipotle
  • SPICE MIXTURE
  • 1 tablespoon (to taste) chipotle chili powder-adds smokiness
  • 1 tablespoon (to taste) ancho chili powder-adds sweet heat
  • 1 tablespoon (to taste) mexican chili powder-adds heat
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons dried cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano (mexican is prefered)
  • 1 tablespoon adobo powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • CUMIN CREMA
  • 2 cups low-fat sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • SERVICE
  • - whole wheat tortillas
  • - fresh cilantro-chopped
  • - monterey jack cheese, shedded
  • - dollop of the crema

How To Make 3-bean and steak chili

  • Step 1
    Heat on high a heavy skillet.
  • Step 2
    Add oil, heat oil to almost smoke point.
  • Step 3
    Add beef and sear. S & P to taste. Remove meat and reserve.
  • Step 4
    Deglaze with 1/4 c. of tequila.
  • Step 5
    In hot skillet, add oinion and garlic and saute until brown.
  • Step 6
    Move meat, onions and all of the juices to large 6-qt kettle.
  • Step 7
    Add canned tomatoes, salsa verde, hot sauce, spices, canned chilies, cilantro and adobo w/chipotles (DO NOT add beans or chicken broth).
  • Step 8
    Bring to bare simmer and maintain over low heat for 3 hours, with cover slightly off to assit in evaporation.
  • Step 9
    As chili stews, mix sour cream and 1 tbs cumin. Refrigerate.
  • Step 10
    After 3 hours. Turn off and remove from heat. Allow to cool.
  • Step 11
    1 hour before service, return kettle to medium heat, add beans (NOT DRAINED), the remainder ofo the tequila and taste for spiciness. Add chicken broth as necessary to tone it down (or add more chili if you dare!)
  • Step 12
    Serve with warm tortillas, and top chili with cheese, fresh cilantro and a dollop of the crema you made (the crema also helps cool off the dish). A nice dark Mexican Beer goes really well with this dish... I'm just saying. :-)

Discover More

Category: Beef
Culture: Mexican
Keyword: #southwest
Keyword: #chili
Ingredient: Beef
Method: Stove Top
Collection: Chili

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