Slow-Cooked Beef Chili

Prep time : 10 minutes | Cook time: 4-5 hours | Makes 4 servings

Chili always takes me right back to my childhood—those freezing winter days spent playing pond hockey until we couldn’t feel our fingers, then coming inside to warm up with a big bowl of homemade chili. It was seriously the best feeling. I gave it a bit of a twist this time with slow-cooked beef chunks, just to shake things up. It’s cozy, hearty, and has that same homey vibe I grew up loving.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED

• 1.5-2 lb beef chunks

• 1 large carrot, diced

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 1 sweet red pepper, diced

• 4 large garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp tomato paste

• 800ml can chopped tomatoes (Polpa, Mutti brand)

• 4 cups beef stock

• 2 tbsp ground cumin

• 1 tbsp dried oregano

• 1 tsp sweet paprika (or chili powder if you want it spicy)

• 1 tsp ground coriander

• 1 can small red kidney beans (425ml)

• salt and pepper

FOR THE TOPPINGS

• cheddar cheese

• green onion

• avocado

• sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt for a healthy alternative)

• lime wedges

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Sear the Beef: In a pot over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then sear it in the pot, flipping once without stirring in between, to achieve a golden crust.

2. Cook the Vegetables: Once the beef is seared, add the onion, carrot, and pepper to the pot. Stir and cook for about 10 minutes until the vegetables soften. Stir in the garlic, spices, and tomato paste, cooking for about 1 minute until the mixture is fragrant.

3. Simmer the Chili: Add the canned tomatoes and beef broth. Stir, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 4-5 hours, or until the beef is tender enough to fall apart. Stir occasionally as it cooks to prevent sticking.

4. Add Kidney Beans: When the chili is nearly ready, add the kidney beans and let simmer for another 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. The sauce should be thick, with most of the liquid evaporated.

5. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with grated cheddar, sliced avocado, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped green onions. Squeeze a bit of lime juice on top and enjoy warm, ideally with a side of fresh bread!