Name: Steak Chili Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 75 min
Ingredients: 2 lb Chuck Steak or Sirloin Steak (cut into 1-inch cubes); 2 tbsp Olive Oil; 1 tsp Salt; 1 tsp Black Pepper; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; 1 large Onion (chopped); 5 Cloves Fresh Garlic (minced); 2 Jalapeños (diced); 1 Bell Pepper (diced); 2 cans (14 oz Diced Tomatoes); 1 can (14 oz Kidney Beans (drained)); 1 can (6 oz Tomato Paste); 2 cups Beef Broth; 2 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce (minced); 3 tbsp Chili Powder; 2 tsp Cumin; 1 tsp Oregano; 1 tsp Smoked Paprika; ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper; 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce; Salt-and-pepper to taste; Shredded Cheddar Cheese; Sour Cream; Fresh Cilantro; Diced Jalapeño; Sliced Green Onions

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Steak chili is the ultimate upgrade to your classic chili recipe. Instead of ground beef, this hearty dish uses tender chunks of sirloin steak or chuck steak that slow-simmer in a rich, smoky chili sauce until they are fall-apart tender and packed with bold, beefy flavor.

This steak chili recipe is a true crowd-pleaser — deeply flavorful, incredibly satisfying, and perfect for game day, family dinners, or meal prep. With chunky steak pieces, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and a bold blend of chili powder, cumin, and chipotle, this is hands down the best steak chili you will ever make!

If you love hearty, comforting one-pot meals, this steak and beef chili recipe will become your new favorite!

💡 Love hearty steak dinners? Try our fall-apart tender Slow Cooker Cube Steak or the comforting Crockpot Steak Bites for more incredible slow-cooked steak recipes!

Chili con carne is a spicy stew originating in the American Southwest, traditionally made with beef, chili peppers, and spices — with or without beans depending on regional traditions.

Why You’ll Love This Steak Chili Recipe

✅ Chunky & Hearty: Real steak pieces give this chili an incredible texture that ground beef simply cannot match.
✅ Deep, Bold Flavor: Slow-simmering allows all the spices, steak, and vegetables to meld into a deeply flavorful sauce.
✅ One-Pot Meal: Everything cooks in a single Dutch oven or crock pot — minimal cleanup!
✅ Meal Prep King: Steak chili tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.
✅ Versatile: Works on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in a Dutch oven.
✅ Crowd-Pleasing: Perfect for game day, family dinners, and chili cook-offs!

What Is Steak Chili?

Steak chili is a hearty chili made with cubed steak (instead of ground beef) that is seared at high-heat and then slowly simmered in a rich, spiced tomato-based sauce. The result is a deeply flavorful chili with tender, chunky pieces of beef that add incredible texture and a bold, beefy depth that makes this dish truly unforgettable.

The best cuts for steak chili are:

Chuck steak — Most traditional, becomes incredibly tender after long simmering ⭐
Sirloin steak — Leaner and more flavorful, great for a quicker version
Ribeye steak — Rich and indulgent, adds incredible flavor
Chuck roast — Budget-friendly and perfect for slow cooking
Stew meat — Pre-cut beef cubes, convenient and tender after slow cooking

🛒 Steak Chili Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients for steak chili including raw chuck steak cubes, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and jalapeños

For the Steak:

2 lb Chuck Steak or Sirloin Steak: Cut into 1-inch cubes. (Chuck steak becomes the most tender after long simmering. Sirloin gives a leaner, more flavorful result.)
2 tbsp Olive Oil: For searing.
1 tsp Salt-and-pepper: To taste.
1 tsp Smoked Paprika: Adds a beautiful smoky depth.

For the Steak Chili Sauce:

1 large Onion: Chopped.
5 Cloves Fresh Garlic: Minced.
2 Jalapeños: Diced. (Remove seeds for mild, keep seeds for spicy!)
1 Bell Pepper (red or green): Diced.
2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes.
1 can (14 oz) Kidney Beans: Drained and rinsed.
1 can (14 oz) Black Beans (optional): For extra heartiness.
1 can (6 oz) Tomato Paste: Thickens and deepens the sauce.
2 cups Beef Broth: Adds savory depth.
2 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce: Minced. (Key for smoky heat!)
3 tbsp Chili Powder: The foundation of the chili flavor.
2 tsp Cumin: Essential for authentic chili flavor.
1 tsp Oregano: Adds herby depth.
1 tsp Smoked Paprika: For extra smokiness.
½ tsp Cayenne Pepper: Adjust to taste for heat.
1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce: Adds umami richness.
1 tbsp Red Wine (optional): Deepens the sauce flavor.

Toppings (Serving):

Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Sour Cream
Fresh Cilantro
Diced Jalapeño
Sliced Green Onions
Cornbread on the side

👨‍🍳 How to Make the Best Steak Chili Recipe (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Sear the Steak Cubes

Searing chuck steak cubes in a Dutch oven before making steak chili

Pat the steak cubes completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and smoked paprika.

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over high heat until shimmering.

Working in batches, sear the steak cubes for 2–3 minutes per side until deeply browned on all sides. Do not overcrowd the pot — sear in batches for the best crust.

Transfer seared steak to a plate and set aside.

💡 Pro Tip: The sear is non-negotiable! Browning the steak creates a rich, caramelized crust that adds incredible depth of flavor to your steak chili. Never skip this step!

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

Reduce heat to medium-low. In the same pot (don’t clean it!), add a little more olive oil if needed.

Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until softened.

Add the diced bell pepper and jalapeños — cook for 2 minutes.

Add the minced garlic and chipotle peppers — cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add tomato paste — stir and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.

Step 3: Build the Steak Chili Sauce

Building the steak chili sauce with diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and chili spices in a Dutch oven

Add to the pot:

Diced tomatoes (with juices)
Beef broth
Kidney beans (drained)
Black beans (optional)
Chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper
Worcestershire sauce
Red wine (optional)
Salt-and-pepper to taste

Stir everything together until well combined.

Return the seared steak cubes to the pot. Make sure the steak is submerged in the sauce.

💡 Pro Tip: Taste the sauce at this point and adjust spices. Want more heat? Add cayenne or extra jalapeño. Want more smokiness? Add another chipotle pepper or a teaspoon of smoked paprika!

Step 4: Simmer the Steak Chili Low and Slow

Bring the chili to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until:

The steak is fork-tender
The sauce has thickened to your liking
The flavors have fully melded together

Method	Time
Stovetop (Low simmer)	45–60 minutes
Dutch Oven (275°F oven)	2–3 hours
Slow Cooker (LOW)	6–8 hours
Slow Cooker (HIGH)	3–4 hours

💡 Pro Tip: The longer your steak chili simmers, the more tender the beef and the richer the flavor. If you have time, let it go 2+ hours — it is absolutely worth it!

Step 5: Serve the Steak Chili

Steak chili served in bowls with shredded cheddar, sour cream, fresh cilantro, and cornbread on the side

Ladle the steak chili into bowls and add your favorite toppings:

🧀 Shredded Cheddar Cheese — melts into the hot chili beautifully
🥛 Sour Cream — cool and creamy contrast to the bold spices
🌿 Fresh Cilantro — bright and fresh
🌶️ Diced Jalapeño — for extra heat lovers
🧅 Sliced Green Onions — add a mild onion bite
🍞 Cornbread — the ultimate comfort food pairing!

🍽️ What to Serve with Steak Chili

This hearty steak chili is a complete meal on its own, but here are some great pairings:

Cornbread: The classic pairing — sweet, buttery cornbread is perfect for scooping up chili.
Steamed Rice: A simple, filling base that soaks up the rich chili sauce beautifully.
Baked Potatoes: Load them up with chili for an incredible stuffed potato dinner.
Tortilla Chips: Perfect for scooping — great for game day!
Coleslaw: A cool, creamy coleslaw cuts through the heat of the chili perfectly.
Cheese Quesadillas: Serve alongside for an epic Mexican-inspired meal.

💡 Pro Tips for the Best Steak Chili

Always Sear the Steak First: Browning creates a flavorful crust that makes this steak chili recipe extraordinary — never skip this step!
Use Chuck Steak: The fat content in chuck steak makes it the most flavorful and tender cut for chili after long simmering.
Layer Your Spices: Add chili powder and cumin early, but finish with fresh herbs and chipotle for the best flavor depth.
Low and Slow: The longer this chili simmers, the more tender the steak and richer the sauce. Patience pays off!
Better the Next Day: Like all great chili recipes, steak chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Thicken the Sauce: If your chili is too thin, mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp cold water and stir in — simmer 10 minutes.
Deglaze with Beer: For a cowboy chili twist, deglaze the pot with ½ cup dark beer instead of red wine!

💡 Love bold, chunky steak dishes? Check out our Smothered Cube Steak and Crock Pot Cube Steak and Gravy for more hearty steak comfort food!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Steak Chili

What Meat Is Best for Steak Chili?

The best cuts for the steak chili recipe are:

Chuck steak — Becomes incredibly tender and flavorful after long simmering ⭐
Sirloin steak — Leaner, great for a quicker stovetop version
Chuck roast — Budget-friendly and perfect for slow cooker steak chili
Ribeye steak — Rich and indulgent
Stew meat — Pre-cut beef cubes, convenient and tender

Does Texas Chili Have Beans?

Authentic Texas-style chili (called “chili con carne” or “Bowl of Red”) traditionally does NOT have beans. However, most home cooks add kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans for extra heartiness and nutrition. This steak chili recipe includes beans — but you can easily omit them for a more traditional Texas chili experience!

What Meat for Chili — Ground Beef vs Steak?

Both work great, but steak chili offers:

More texture — chunky beef pieces vs crumbled ground beef
Deeper flavor — steak has more beefy, savory depth
Better mouthfeel — tender steak pieces are incredibly satisfying
More impressive — a steak chili always wows guests!

Ground beef is quicker and more budget-friendly. Steak chili is worth the extra effort for special occasions!

Do You Put Beef Broth in Chili?

Yes! Beef broth is highly recommended for steak chili because:

It adds a deep, savory umami base
It keeps the steak moist during the long simmer
It helps the sauce develop incredible richness
It prevents the chili from becoming too thick too quickly

Use about 2 cups of beef broth for the best results.

How to Make Steak Chili in a Slow Cooker?

For steak chili slow cooker version:

Sear the steak cubes in a hot skillet first
Transfer everything to the slow cooker
Add all sauce ingredients and stir
Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours
The result is an incredibly tender, fall-apart steak in a deeply flavored chili

How Long Does Steak Chili Last?

Steak chili stores beautifully:

Fridge: Up to 4–5 days in an airtight container
Freezer: Up to 3 months — freeze in individual portions for easy weeknight meals
Reheat: On the stovetop over medium heat with a splash of beef broth, or microwave for 3–4 minutes

🔄 Steak Chili Variations

🤠 Cowboy Chili: No beans, extra chuck roast, dark beer instead of wine — rustic and bold.
🌶️ Texas Style Chili: No beans, extra chipotle and ancho chili peppers, purely meat-based.
🐌 Steak Chili Slow Cooker: Set it and forget it — see FAQ above for instructions.
🫙 White Steak Chili: Use white beans, green chiles, chicken broth, and cumin for a completely different but equally incredible version.
🍺 Beer Chili: Add a can of dark stout beer when building the sauce for a rich, malty depth.
🌿 Low-Carb Steak Chili: Skip the beans, add extra steak and zucchini for a keto-friendly version.

Conclusion — Try This Steak Chili Recipe Tonight!

This steak chili recipe proves that chili can be so much more than ground beef and canned beans. With tender, chunky sirloin or chuck steak, a bold blend of chili spices, smoky chipotle, and a rich beef broth base, this is the most flavorful, hearty, and satisfying chili you will ever make.

Whether you cook it low and slow on the stovetop, in a Dutch oven, or in a crock pot — the result is always a deeply comforting bowl of steak chili that the whole family will love.

👇 Have you tried this steak chili recipe? Let us know in the comments — with beans or without? 🌶️🥩