This Easy Steak Chili is the perfect way to use leftover prime rib or steaks from previous meals. It pairs tender, leftover beef with simple pantry staples to make a rich, hearty dish with minimal prep. You can also add ground beef for extra texture. This chili yields deep, layered flavors while remaining straightforward and family-friendly.
Steak Chili Recipe
This easy steak chili is a robust, comforting meal that works any night of the week. It’s flexible about what beef you use—freshly cooked cuts, leftover steaks, or a mix with ground beef all work well. A combination of spices, tomatoes, and beans simmers together to create a rich, satisfying chili that’s perfect for busy cooks who want a reliable, flavorful dinner.
The base of this chili uses stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, a bit of water, and a chili seasoning mix, along with pan-seared or diced steak. The result is a thick, beef-forward chili that you can tailor to your preferred heat level. Serve with shredded cheese, sour cream, or your favorite toppings for a simple, comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Versatility: Use whatever beef you have on hand—leftover steak, prime rib, or ground beef.
- Easy Prep: Simple steps and common pantry ingredients make this quick to assemble.
- Comforting: Hearty and warming, ideal for cooler weather or a family dinner.
- Customizable: Adjust the spice, add different beans, or toss in corn or other vegetables.
Recipe Shopping List
You may already have most of these items in your pantry. For exact quantities, see the ingredient list in the recipe card below.
- Steak, leftover steak, or ground beef — any combination works. Steak adds richness; ground beef provides classic texture.
- Oil — for browning raw meat.
- Onion powder & garlic powder — quick, reliable seasoning.
- Salt & black pepper — essential for seasoning.
- Stewed tomatoes — for texture and acidity.
- Tomato sauce — builds a smooth, rich base.
- Water — to adjust consistency and let flavors meld.
- Chili seasoning kit or chili seasoning mix — chili powder, cumin, cayenne and masa or other thickening spices.
- Pinto beans (drained) — add creaminess and balance.
- Chili beans — already seasoned for an easy flavor boost.
- Cheese — optional topping.
- Sour cream — for a cool, creamy contrast.
How To Make This Recipe
- Brown the meat — If using raw steak or ground beef, season with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brown in oil in a large pot until well-seared. If using cooked steak or prime rib, dice it into bite-sized cubes and skip the browning step.
- Simmer the base — Add stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and the chili seasoning. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook over medium-low heat for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavor.
- Add the beans — Stir in drained pinto beans and chili beans. Cook until heated through and flavors meld, about 10 minutes more.
- Top and serve — Ladle into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, chopped onions, or other favorite toppings.
Recipe FAQ
Any cut of steak works. Sirloin, t-bone, prime rib, flat iron, or leftover roast beef are all excellent choices. If you don’t have leftovers, diced chuck or stew meat can be used; these tougher cuts become tender when cooked slowly and add robust beef flavor. If using stew meat, allow extra cook time for tenderness.
Chili is ideal for game-day gatherings, potlucks, family dinners, and cold-weather meals. It also makes a great centerpiece for a chili bar where guests can add their preferred toppings and mix-ins.
A mix of pinto beans and seasoned chili beans works very well in this tomato-based chili. Kidney beans, black beans, or a mixed chili bean blend are also good options. For white chili, use great northern beans.
Typical seasonings include chili powder, cumin, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. You can use a pre-mixed chili kit for convenience or make your own blend to control heat and flavor.
Cooking Methods
This chili can be made on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in an electric pressure cooker. Each method produces a warm, satisfying meal; choose the one that best fits your schedule.
Tips for Cooking in the Instant Pot
- Use the sauté function to brown raw beef and develop flavor.
- Do not pressure-cook canned beans; add them at the end and warm gently on sauté mode until heated through.
Tips for Cooking in the Slow Cooker
- Cook the meat and base for 2–3 hours on high before adding canned beans.
- After adding beans, let them warm for about 30 minutes on low to finish the dish.
Serve This With…
- Grilled corn cakes with honey butter — a less crumbly alternative to traditional cornbread with similar flavors.
- Cilantro lime crema — cool and bright, a great contrast to spicy chili.
- Cornbread muffins — classic and comforting with chili.
More Spicy Recipe Ideas
- Spicy Chorizo Jalapeño Poppers
- One-Pot Spicy Sausage and Peppers Pasta
- Spicy Broccoli Shrimp Stir Fry
- Spicy Grilled Galbi
- Spicy Smoked Pork Ribs
- Pellet Grill Spicy BBQ Pork Tenderloin
- Spicy Tonkotsu Miso Ramen
Easy Steak Chili
This easy steak chili puts leftover prime rib or extra steaks to excellent use. If you need to stretch the meat, add ground beef. The result is a hearty, beef-forward chili that’s simple to prepare and satisfying to serve.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds meat (steak, leftover steak, ground beef, or combination)
- 1 tablespoon oil
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can stewed tomatoes
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 8 cups water
- 1 package chili seasoning kit or equivalent homemade chili seasoning
- 1 can pinto beans, drained
- 1 can chili beans
- Shredded cheese, for serving
- Sour cream, for serving
Instructions
- Season raw meat with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Brown in a large pot with oil. If using cooked steak, dice into cubes and skip browning.
- Add stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, and chili seasoning. Bring to a simmer and cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes.
- Stir in the drained pinto beans and chili beans and cook until heated through.
- Serve topped with shredded cheese and sour cream, and offer additional toppings as desired.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 630 • Total Fat: 34g • Saturated Fat: 12g • Cholesterol: 173mg • Sodium: 1503mg • Carbohydrates: 24g • Fiber: 5g • Sugar: 6g • Protein: 57g