World’s Best Chili

Last updated on June 25th, 2018 at 08:45 pm

This has got to be the World’s Best Chili recipe as far as I’m concerned, made with chuck short ribs and a chili paste made from scratch with dried chiles! Super hearty and delicious!

Alright, I know I’m saying a lot here by naming this the World’s Best Chili recipe, but it truly is in my world. Rich and deep flavors that are developed over time is what this chili is all about. No ground beef or chili powder here. I made a chili paste with lots of dried chiles which I think is the key to this recipe.

I’ve had these dried chiles in the fridge for a couple months now and I knew I was going to use them in a chili but it’s one of those things I put off until I started craving chili. With this cold weather we’re having, nothing warms me up more than a great bowl of chili.

Dried chiles are pretty affordable and you can find them in your local grocery store. I know mine always has all sorts of dried chiles which is why I bought some. I used some dried chipotle chiles and some mild New Mexico chiles. I toasted them a bit to bring out their flavors then pulsed them in a food processor until you get a powder, then added some cumin, cornmeal, cocoa powder and oregano. To make it into a paste I added some beef broth. You’ll get quite a bit of this paste but not to worry, it’s quite mild; I didn’t find it spicy at all. I suppose it depends which chiles you use.

The other key factor to making this the best chili recipe ever is the chuck short ribs. No ground beef here, you’ll want to use the chuck short ribs, or if you want a cheaper cut you could use something like a sirloin steak or flank steak. The chuck short ribs are seared first which I really recommend because you will get that extra flavor.

We devoured this chili and everyone loved it and couldn’t stop raving about. It really was that good! Such deep and rich flavors, sometimes it really is worth spending a little extra time to get results like this.

If you’re looking for a lighter version, try my Healthier Beef Chili.

If you try this recipe, please let us know! Leave a comment, rate it and tag a photo #jocooks on Instagram so we can see it. I always love to see what you guys come up with!

5 from 4 votes

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World's Best Chili

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

3 hrs

Total Time

3 hrs 10 mins

 

This has got to be the World's Best Chili recipe as far as I'm concerned, made with chuck short ribs and a chili paste made from scratch with dried chiles! Super hearty and delicious!

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Servings: 10

Calories: 752 kcal

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Ingredients

Spice Mixture

• 2 oz New Mexico mild chiles dried
• 1 oz chipotle chiles dried
• 1 tbsp cornmeal
• 1 tbsp oregano dried
• 1 tbsp cumin ground
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup beef broth low sodium

Chili

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 lbs chuck short ribs deboned; cut into cubes
• 1 small red onion diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• 1/2 habenero seeded and chopped
• 1/2 jalapeno seeded and chopped
• 12 oz light beer I used Corona
• 14 oz fire roasted tomatoes
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 28 oz red kidney beans rinsed and drained (1 big can)
• 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
• 3 1/4 cups beef broth low sodium
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese shredded

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Cut open the dried chilies bag and remove the seeds. Cut the chilies into 1/2" pieces. In a large, dry skillet, toast the chilies over medium-high heat just until barely smoking. Remove the chiles from the heat.

2. Transfer the toasted chilis to a food processor. Blend on high until a fine powder forms will take anyway from 3 to 5 minutes. 

3. Add the cornmeal, oregano, cumin, cocoa powder, and pulse while slowly adding 3/4 cup of the beef broth until it turns into a paste. Scrape into a separate bowl and set aside.

4. Heat the olive oil in a large oven safe pot such as a Dutch oven, over medium high heat. Add the beef and brown it, will take about 7 to 10 minutes.  

5. Add the red onion, garlic, habanero, jalapeno pepper and stir. Cook for about 2 minutes, just until the onion softens a bit. Deglaze the pot with the beer then add the fire roasted tomatoes, sugar, kidney beans, spice paste, and the remaining beef broth. Stir well to combine then bring to a boil.

6. Preheat your oven to 375 F degrees.

7. Cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar and place in the preheated oven. Cook for about 2 1/2 hours stirring after every hour. 

8. Serve garnished with Monterey Jack cheese.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

I don't have dried chiles, what can I use instead: You can use a good quality chili powder, but the homemade chili paste is what makes this the best chili recipe.

 

Can I use any other cut of beef: You can, a sirloin, or a flank steak. I really recommend using this over ground beef as you'll get more flavor and end up with a richer more delicious stew.

 

Slow cooker option: Follow the steps up to and including step 5 then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.

 

Instant Pot option: Prepare everything as specified up to and including step 5 in the Instant Pot using the Saute setting, then close the lid and cook on  Meat/Stew or Manual at High Pressure for 35 minutes, followed by Natural Release when the time is up. Make sure to open the lid carefully.

 

Storing leftovers: Cool chili completely then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

 

Freezing leftovers: Cool the chili then transfer it to an airtight container or individual freezer bags. Free it for 4 to 6 months. 

 

Nutrition: Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

 

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