Description
This slow-cooked shredded beef chili with masa harina is rich, flavorful, and perfect for cozy nights. It features tender chunks of chuck roast, bold spices, and a unique corn flavor from masa harina. Ideal for feeding a crowd or stocking your freezer.
Ingredients
- 3–4 pounds stew beef (chuck roast), chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Oil (for browning)
- 2 large onions, chopped
- 2 cups celery (4 stalks), chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 tablespoons cumin seed (or ground cumin)
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup masa harina
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28-oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15-oz) cans kidney beans, drained
- 3 bay leaves
- Sour cream (garnish)
- Shredded cheddar cheese (garnish)
- Chopped onions (garnish)
- Chopped cilantro (garnish)
- Tortilla chips (garnish)
Instructions
1. Pat beef dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
2. Heat oil in a skillet and sear beef in batches until browned on both sides. Transfer to slow cooker.
3. Add more oil if needed, then sauté onions and celery until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Stir in garlic and jalapenos, cooking until fragrant.
5. Add chili powder, cayenne, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Stir and toast for 2 minutes.
6. Pour in beef broth and scrape pan. Slowly whisk in masa harina to avoid lumps.
7. Transfer mixture to slow cooker with seared beef.
8. Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, beans, and bay leaves.
9. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours or low for 8–10 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
10. Break beef apart or shred with forks. Serve hot with desired garnishes.
Notes
Use cumin seeds for deeper flavor; ground cumin also works great.
Masa harina adds both thickness and subtle corn flavor—highly recommended.
Chili is freezer-friendly and even better the next day.
Adjust jalapenos and cayenne to control spice level.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 535
- Sugar: 47
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 83
- Fiber: 22
- Protein: 44
- Cholesterol: 70