Cowboy Steak Chili in a Crock-Pot
While searching for an authentic Texas Style Chili, I discovered this recipe. There are so many chili recipes with many variations, but this one is exceptional. The idea comes from Cowboy Steak, where the essential "Cowboy" element is ground coffee. You can also use this seasoning to make Cowboy Steak. If you do, it is traditional to add onion powder and garlic powder to the mix. You may want to mix up enough to use later as a dry rub for ribs or chops or even chicken. If you do, bloom the mixture just before using. The only change I made was to cook the chili for 8 hours on low in the crock-pot before serving. I truly believe that one of the secrets to good chili is a long cooking time.
While searching for an authentic Texas Style Chili, I discovered this recipe. There are so many chili recipes with many variations, but this one is exceptional. The idea comes from Cowboy Steak, where the essential "Cowboy" element is ground coffee. You can also use this seasoning to make Cowboy Steak. If you do, it is traditional to add onion powder and garlic powder to the mix. You may want to mix up enough to use later as a dry rub for ribs or chops or even chicken. If you do, bloom the mixture just before using. The only change I made was to cook the chili for 8 hours on low in the crock-pot before serving. I truly believe that one of the secrets to good chili is a long cooking time.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 medium onions chopped
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 celery ribs chopped
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 can diced green chilies
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (or to taste)
- 1 lb sirloin steak, cubed bite-size
- 4 slices bacon (or 3 tbsp vegetable oil)
- 1 lb chorizo sausage (or ground pork)
- 1 bell pepper seeded and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves smashed
- 2 cans kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn (optional)
- 1 bottle dark beer or 1 (16 ounce) bottle ale
- 1 tablespoon coffee beans dark freshly finely ground
- Carbohydrate 15.1202064987349 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 0.814351670618461 g
- Fiber 4.47061891048281 g
- Protein 3.8076802129417 g
- Saturated Fat 0.151838719466321 g
- Serving Size 1 1 cups, 10-12 serving(s) (187g)
- Sodium 228.33245531517 mg
- Sugar 10.6495875882521 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Calories 79 calories
Step-by-step
- Turn the crock-pot on to high.
- Prepare the Cowboy Steak Seasoning (recipe not included here).
- Roll cubed steak in the seasoning mix until thoroughly coated.
- In a large, heavy fry pan over medium-high heat, brown the bacon (if using) until crisp. Remove and drain, reserving the drippings.
- Brown the coated steak cubes in the bacon drippings (or oil), working in batches if necessary.
- Transfer browned steak to the crock-pot.
- Add the chorizo or pork and cook it down, stirring, for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the chorizo or pork to the crock-pot.
- Add all the aromatics to the fry pan and sweat them down, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
- Transfer them to the crock-pot.
- Stir in all the other ingredients and the reserved bacon to the crock-pot.
- If there's not enough liquid to cover, add some beef stock or more beer.
- Put the lid on.
- Let the mixture come to a simmer, taste and adjust the seasoning to taste and let it simmer at least another hour. The longer, the better!
My Crock-Pot Cowboy Steak Chili Adventure
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook delicious and hearty meals can be a real challenge. Weekends are often crammed with errands and family activities, leaving little time for elaborate cooking projects. That's why I've become a huge fan of crock-pot recipes – they're the ultimate time-savers! Recently, I embarked on a culinary adventure with a recipe that truly blew me away: Cowboy Steak Chili. The name itself conjured up images of crackling campfires and hearty cowboy fare, and the reality certainly lived up to the expectation.
The beauty of this chili lies not just in its rich and savory flavor, but also in its remarkable simplicity. The long, slow cooking process in the crock-pot allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a depth and complexity that’s simply unmatched by quicker cooking methods. I found the recipe online, and while there were several variations, the core ingredients and the overall approach promised a truly authentic Texas-style chili experience. The addition of ground coffee beans, a unique twist inspired by Cowboy Steak, added an unexpected depth of flavor that I found absolutely captivating. The subtle bitterness of the coffee balanced perfectly with the sweetness of the brown sugar and the spiciness of the chili powder. It was a happy accident, a culinary serendipity that I'm so glad I stumbled upon.
The prep work was surprisingly straightforward. I cubed the sirloin steak and tossed it in a flavorful blend of spices – a mix that could easily double as a dry rub for ribs or chicken. The bacon added a smoky richness (I confess, I sometimes substitute it with a little olive oil for a slightly healthier option, but the bacon adds a certain je ne sais quoi!), while the chorizo brought a welcome hint of spice. The onions, bell peppers, and celery created a delicious aromatic base, and the beans and corn added a hearty texture. Once everything was nestled snugly in the crock-pot, all that was left to do was set the timer and let the magic happen.
The aroma that wafted from the crock-pot as the chili simmered was incredible. It filled my entire kitchen with a warm, inviting scent – a tantalizing preview of the deliciousness to come. Eight hours later, I was rewarded with a steaming pot of chili that was both deeply flavorful and incredibly satisfying. The beef was tender, the vegetables were perfectly cooked, and the overall taste was a harmonious blend of smoky, sweet, and spicy notes. Served with a dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of shredded cheese, this chili was the perfect comfort food, the kind that warms you from the inside out.
This Cowboy Steak Chili has become a staple in my family's weekly meal rotation. It’s incredibly versatile – you can easily adjust the spice level to your liking, add different beans or vegetables, or even experiment with different types of meat. And because it’s made in a crock-pot, it’s perfect for busy weeknights, freeing up my time to focus on other things, like spending quality time with my family, catching up on work emails, or enjoying a much-deserved cup of coffee (without the chili spices, of course!). Give this recipe a try, and I'm confident it will quickly become a new favorite in your home as well.
Beyond its deliciousness and ease of preparation, this recipe has become a symbol of my personal journey as a working mother. It’s a reminder that even amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, there’s always time to create something delicious and nourishing, both for the body and the soul. It’s a comforting hug in a bowl, a testament to the power of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary through the magic of slow cooking and a little bit of love.
