Go Back

Texas-Style Steak Chili (No Beans)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot Crucial for slow-simmering the chili and getting that perfect sear on the beef. A cast-iron Dutch oven is ideal.
  • Sharp chef’s knife Essential for cubing steak and mincing garlic.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and scraping browned bits off the bottom.
  • Slow cooker (optional) If you're going for a set-it-and-forget-it approach, this steak chili recipe crockpot version is just as delicious.

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs beef stew meat chuck or round cuts work best
  • 1 lb sirloin steak cut into ½-inch cubes
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust for desired heat
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar sour cream, chopped scallions, jalapeños

Instructions
 

Brown the meat

  1. In your Dutch oven over medium-high heat, warm 1 tablespoon oil. Add beef stew meat in batches and sear until browned on all sides. Remove and repeat with sirloin steak. Set all browned meat aside.

Sauté aromatics

  1. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining oil, then toss in diced onion. Cook until softened (about 5 minutes), then stir in garlic and tomato paste. Cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.

Deglaze and simmer

  1. Pour in beef broth to deglaze the pot, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in crushed tomatoes, all spices, salt, pepper, and brown sugar. Return all beef to the pot, including any juices.

Low and slow

  1. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and let cook for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Uncover in the last 30 minutes to thicken. Add apple cider vinegar before serving to balance the richness.

Serve it up

  1. Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes. Get ready for serious Texas vibes.