Best 5 Upstate Chili Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Upstate chili is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a cold day. It is a thick, meaty chili that is typically made with ground beef, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and chili powder. Upstate chili is often served with cornbread or crackers, and it can also be topped with cheese, sour cream, or guacamole. If you are looking for a delicious and easy-to-make chili recipe, then upstate chili is the perfect choice for you. Here are some tips for making the best upstate chili:

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

UPSTATE CHILI



Upstate Chili image

Provided by Michael Phillips

Categories     Food Processor     Bean     Beef     Super Bowl     Fall     Winter     Tailgating     Chile Pepper     Advance Prep Required

Yield Serves 8 to 10

Number Of Ingredients 22

FOR THE BEEF:
5 pounds (2.5 kg) beef shank
1/2 cup (60 g) pure ground guajillo chile
1/3 cup (75 ml) cider vinegar
1 tablespoon pure ground chile de arbol
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Dash of ground cloves
FOR THE BEANS:
1 pound (455 g) dried red kidney beans, rinsed and pick through for stones
1 tablespoon kosher salt
FOR THE CHILI:
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large yellow onions, coarsely chopped
6 garlic cloves, crushed and peeled
2 (28-ounce/800-g) cans whole peeled tomatoes, drained, puréed in a blender
3 tablespoons Urfa Biber or Aleppo chile flakes, plus more to taste
2 tablespoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons ground cumin
Kosher salt

Steps:

  • 1. Prepare the beef: At least 1 day before serving the chili, cut the meat from the beef shanks. (Save the bones to make beef stock.) You should have about 3 pounds (1.5 kg) meat. Cut the meat into 1-inch (2.5-cm) cubes. Place them on a baking sheet and freeze until they are semisolid, about 1 hour. In batches, process the meat in a food processor until it is coarsely chopped. (If you are lucky to live near an artisan butcher, ask them to bone and grind the beef shank meat with the coarse "chili" blade.)
  • 2. Mix the guajillo chile, vinegar, chile de arbol, salt, oregano, cumin, and cloves together in a nonreactive medium bowl. Add the beef and mix well. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 12 and up to 24 hours.
  • 3. Prepare the beans: Put the beans in a large bowl and add enough cold water to cover by at least 3 inches (7.5 cm). Let them stand in a cool place (refrigerate if the kitchen is warm) for at least 12 and up to 16 hours.
  • 4. Drain the beans, put them in a large saucepan, and add enough fresh cold water to cover by 3 inches (7.5 cm). Heat them, stirring often, over medium-high heat just until the water boils. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the beans are barely tender, about 1 1/2 hours, depending on the freshness of the beans. During the last 30 minutes, add the salt to the saucepan. Drain the beans and set them aside.
  • 5. Make the chili: Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat. In 2 or 3 batches, add the marinated beef and cook, stirring often, until it is seared, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef to a bowl, leaving the fat in the pot.
  • 6. Pulse the onions and garlic together in a food processor until finely chopped but not puréed. (Or mince the onions and garlic by hand.) Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the Dutch oven and heat. Add the onion mixture and cook, stirring often, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes.
  • 7. Return the beef to the Dutch oven. Add the tomato purée, chile flakes, oregano, thyme, and cumin and stir well. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, for about 2 1/2 hours, until the meat is very tender and the tomato juices thicken. Add hot water to the chili if it threatens to stick to the pot, and stir in the beans during the last hour. Season with salt and more Urfa chile flakes. If you like very spicy chili, add more ground chile de arbol. (The chili can be cooled, covered, and refrigerated for up to 2 days.) Spoon it into bowls and serve hot.

AUTHENTIC CINCINNATI CHILI



Authentic Cincinnati Chili image

This was handed down to me by Mom, a Cincinnati native. Skimming the fat makes this a healthier version than most, and gives it the right consistency. I like mine 4-way, with spaghetti, raw chopped onions, grated mild cheddar, and oyster crackers!

Provided by Melissa Hamilton

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Chili Without Beans Recipes

Time 11h45m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 pounds lean ground beef
1 quart water, or amount to cover
2 onions, finely chopped
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
¼ cup chili powder
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
5 whole cloves
5 whole allspice berries
1 bay leaf

Steps:

  • Place the ground beef in a large pan, cover with about 1 quart of cold water, and bring to a boil, stirring and breaking up the beef with a fork to a fine texture. Slowly boil until the meat is thoroughly cooked, about 30 minutes, then remove from heat and refrigerate in the pan overnight.
  • The next day, skim the solid fat from the top of the pan, and discard the fat. Place the beef mixture over medium heat, and stir in the onions, tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, chocolate, chili powder, salt, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cloves, allspice berries, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 hours. Add water if necessary to prevent the chili from burning.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 225.2 calories, Carbohydrate 10.1 g, Cholesterol 59.5 mg, Fat 12.6 g, Fiber 3.1 g, Protein 19.1 g, SaturatedFat 4.9 g, Sodium 673.7 mg, Sugar 4 g

THE ULTIMATE CHILI



The Ultimate Chili image

Easy recipe with little preparation time. This can also be made with ground turkey, and it tastes even better the next day!

Provided by Wendy

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Chili Recipes     Beef Chili Recipes

Time 6h20m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 pound lean ground beef
salt and pepper to taste
3 (15 ounce) cans dark red kidney beans
3 (14.5 ounce) cans Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 dash Worcestershire sauce
½ cup red wine

Steps:

  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground beef until evenly browned. Drain off grease, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • In a slow cooker, combine the cooked beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, celery, red bell pepper, and red wine vinegar. Season with chili powder, cumin, parsley, basil and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
  • Cook on High for 6 hours, or on Low for 8 hours. Pour in the wine during the last 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 413.7 calories, Carbohydrate 49.5 g, Cholesterol 49.6 mg, Fat 11 g, Fiber 16.7 g, Protein 28.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 1015 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

CINCINNATI-STYLE CHILI



Cincinnati-Style Chili image

Provided by Katie Lee Biegel

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

16 ounces tomato sauce
12 ounces tomato paste
1 yellow onion, grated
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 bay leaves
2 pounds ground beef (I use chuck)
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 pound spaghetti, cooked according to package directions and tossed in olive oil to prevent sticking
One 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1 white onion, diced
Two 8-ounce blocks Cheddar, grated
Hot sauce, optional
Oyster crackers, for serving

Steps:

  • For the chili: In a stockpot or Dutch oven, combine the tomato sauce, tomato paste, onions, chili powder, cocoa powder, sugar, kosher salt, cinnamon, cumin, garlic salt, allspice, pepper, cayenne, cloves, bay leaves, beef (do not brown first) and 2 cups water. Mix until combined. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 2 hours. Stir in the vinegar and simmer for another 30 minutes.
  • To serve: Serve on a bed of spaghetti and top with the beans, onions and a mound of cheese (or any preferred combination). Add hot sauce, if desired, and eat with oyster crackers.

TEXAS CHILI



Texas Chili image

Provided by Duff Goldman

Categories     main-dish

Time 3h

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 ounces dried chiles, such as guajillo, arbol, ancho, japones or a combination (8 to 10 chiles)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 onion, diced
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 1/2 cups beef stock
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
5 tablespoons lard, vegetable oil or rendered beef suet
2 1/2 pounds boneless beef chuck, well-trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes (to yield 2 pounds after trimming)
2 tablespoons masa harina (corn tortilla flour)
1 tablespoon firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
Mexican crema, for serving
Shredded Mexican blend cheese or Cheddar, for serving
Diced white onion, for serving
Lime wedges, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Put the chiles on a small rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Don't let them burn or they will turn bitter. Transfer the chiles to a medium heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Cover with plastic wrap and let the chiles soak until softened, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  • Drain the chiles then remove and discard the stems. Split open each chile and scrape out the seeds with the back of your knife. Discard the seeds and transfer the chiles to a blender. Add the cumin, half of the diced onion, half of the garlic, 1/2 cup of the beef stock, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Blend, occasionally scraping down the sides of the blender, until a smooth, slightly fluid paste forms (you want to eliminate all but the tiniest bits of skin).
  • Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chile paste and cook until slightly darkened, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  • Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat and melt 2 tablespoons of the lard (or heat 2 tablespoons of the vegetable oil). Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. When the lard begins to smoke, swirl the pot to coat and add half of the beef. Cook, lowering the heat if the meat threatens to burn, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with 2 more tablespoons of the lard and the remaining beef. Set aside.
  • Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon lard (or heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil) in the pot. Add the remaining diced onion and garlic and cook gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the beef back to the pot along with any juices. Then add 2 cups water and the remaining 2 cups beef stock. Stir in the reserved chile paste and bring to a simmer over high heat, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to loosen any browned bits. Lower the heat to maintain the barest possible simmer (just a few bubbles breaking the surface) and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the meat is tender, about 2 hours.
  • Thoroughly stir the masa harina, brown sugar and vinegar into the chili. Gently simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Serve in individual bowls with a dollop of crema, shredded cheese, white onion and a lime wedge.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the chili will be. Use fresh vegetables, lean ground beef, and flavorful spices.
  • Brown the beef and vegetables before adding them to the pot: This will help to develop their flavor and prevent the chili from being watery.
  • Simmer the chili for at least 30 minutes: This will allow the flavors to meld and develop. The longer you simmer the chili, the better it will taste.
  • Season the chili to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to taste. You can also add a bit of sweetness with honey or brown sugar, or a bit of heat with cayenne pepper or chili powder.
  • Serve the chili with your favorite toppings: Shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and chopped cilantro are all popular toppings for chili.

Conclusion:

Upstate chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious pot of upstate chili that your family and friends will love.

Related Topics