Mexican Chilli Beef

Prepare to be wowed with this Mexican Chilli Beef—it will entice you to have it on repeat! Succulent beef chuck steak undergoes a slow, low cooking process in a flavourful stew comprising onions, tomatoes, broth, and soul-soothing spices, concluding with the addition of hearty beans. The beef achieves a mouthwateringly tender texture, while the sauce is warmly spiced! Enjoy this chilli beef alongside your preferred Mexican sides or a bed of rice, bringing the entire meal together.

Chilli beef (also known as Chilli Con Carne) is most commonly made with ground beef but as Rick Stein states in his book ‘Road To Mexico’:

‘The classic chilli con carne made with beans and minced beef is more of a Tex-Mex recipe. In Mexico home cooks make carne con chile for their families, using cubed beef or pork in a rich chilli sauce with or without tomatoes, and with beans and or rice on the side. ‘.

Opting for a ‘chunky’ Mexican-style beef instead of ground mince turned out to be a fantastic decision. The resulting meat was incredibly tender, reaching a butter-like melt-in-your-mouth perfection, and the depth of spice was simply mind-blowing. It offered a warm spiciness without being overly hot—just the right balance. If my partner Rob, who isn’t a heat enthusiast, could enjoy it, then it’s a dish anyone can savour!

For that extra flavour explosion, I chose La Constena diced chipotle chilies in adobo sauce, readily available at major supermarkets like Coles and Woolies. Despite being labeled ‘hot’ on the jar, I find them to be more on the mild to medium scale, adding a massive smoky flavour bomb to the chilli beef. It’s a game-changer!

How to make

1. Sear Beef:
   • Heat cooking oil in a heavy-based saucepan or flameproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Brown half of the beef cubes for 3-4 minutes, or until well-browned. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining beef. Set aside.
2. Prepare Spice Mix:
   • In the same pan, add diced onion and cook for 5 minutes. Add finely chopped garlic, diced chipotle in adobo sauce, and all the spices. Stir and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Simmer Beef:
   • Return the seared beef to the pan along with any juices. Stir to coat the beef in the spice mix. Crumble in the beef stock cubes and add 2 cups of water, diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 1 hour. Uncover and cook for an additional 45 minutes or until the beef is very tender, and the sauce has slightly thickened.
4. Finish and Serve:
   • Add drained and rinsed kidney beans and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve the beef with your preferred side: rice, fresh crunchy bread, grilled corn tortillas, or corn chips. Garnish with a dollop of sour cream, sliced chili, and coriander. Enjoy your flavorful Mexican Chilli Beef!

Serving suggestions

This dish effortlessly transitions from a comforting family meal to the centrepiece of an intimate dinner with friends or a crowd-pleaser for larger gatherings (and, conveniently, the recipe is easily scalable). Here are some creative ideas to elevate your dining experience:

• Tacos or Burritos:
  • Spoon the Mexican Chilli Beef into warm tortillas for a delicious taco filling or wrap it up in burritos with your favourite toppings.
• Nachos:
  • Layer the chunky beef over a bed of crispy tortilla chips, and top with melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and salsa for irresistible nachos.
• Stuffed Capsicums:
  • Fill halved capsicums with the beef mixture, top with cheese, and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is bubbly.
• Loaded Quesadillas:
  • Sandwich the beef between tortillas with cheese, and optionally add ingredients like sautéed onions, capsicums and jalapeños for a satisfying quesadilla.
• Bowl with Fixings:
  • Create a customisable bowl with the beef as the base, allowing everyone to add their preferred toppings like avocado, diced tomatoes, cheese, and cilantro.
• Baked Potatoes:
  • Serve the Mexican Chilli Beef over baked potatoes, and garnish with your favourite toppings such as cheese, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream.
• Fresh Crunchy Bread:
  • Serve the Mexican Chilli Beef with fresh, crunchy bread.
• Corn Bread:
  • Pair the Mexican Chilli Beef with cornbread for a delightful combination. The sweet and savoury notes of cornbread complement the spiced beef, creating a harmonious and comforting meal.
• Chilli Pasta – Chilli Mac:
  • Take your pasta to the next level by incorporating the Mexican Chilli Beef into mac and cheese, creating the classic comfort dish known as Chilli Mac.

You may also enjoy

• Easy 5 Ingredients Guacamole – this dolloped over the top of the beef is really delicious
• Red Cabbage Salad with Honey Lime Dressing – the perfect salad to serve with the beef if making taco’s or tortillas.
• Pico De Gallo – Traditional Mexican salsa
• Beef in Red Wine Casserole with Carrots & Potatoes