Beef Chili
A rich and hearty beef chili made with three types of dried chilies, tender chunks of chuck beef, and beer. This deep, complex chili is slowly simmered with aromatics and spices until the meat is meltingly tender.
Ingredients
- •4 large ancho chiles
- •2 whole guajillo chiles
- •2 whole pasilla chiles
- •3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- •5 pounds boneless beef chuck
- •2 large yellow onions
- •6 cloves garlic
- •1 tablespoon ground cumin
- •2 teaspoons dried oregano
- •1 can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- •3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- •1 bottle lager
- •2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- •1 to taste kosher salt and pepper
- •1 to taste sour cream
- •1 to taste grated cheddar
- •1 to taste chopped red onion
- •1 to taste lime wedges
- •1 to taste cilantro
- •1 to taste sliced avocado
- •1 to taste pickled jalapeños
- •1 to taste corn nuts
- •1 to taste Fritos
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Remove seeds from ancho, guajillo, and pasilla chiles and place in a medium bowl. Pour in 3 cups boiling water and cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap; let sit until chiles are softened, 20-25 minutes. Transfer chiles and soaking liquid to a blender and blend on high until smooth, about 1 minute; set aside.
25 min
- 2.
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium-high. Season beef all over with salt and pepper. Working in 2-3 batches, cook, turning pieces once, until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
30 min
- 3.
Reduce heat to medium; add onions and garlic to pot. Cook, stirring often to loosen browned bits from bottom of pot, until onions are translucent and very soft, 6-8 minutes. Add cumin and oregano and cook, stirring, until spices start to stick to pot, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and brown sugar and scrape bottom of pot to loosen spices, then add lager. Bring to a lively simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until beer is almost completely evaporated, 10-15 minutes.
25 min
- 4.
Meanwhile, cut beef into 1/2" pieces, discarding any large bits of fat or gristle.
10 min
- 5.
Add beef, reserved chile purée, and 2 cups water to pot; season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently, uncovered, until liquid is thickened and meat is very tender, 1 1/2-2 hours. Taste chili and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Remove from heat and stir in vinegar. Divide chili among bowls and top as desired.
120 min
- 6.
Chili can be made 4 days ahead. Let cool; cover and chill. Reheat gently over low, stirring occasionally, and adding a splash of water to loosen if needed.