Ron'S God Awful Chile
A bold and spicy chili packed with cumin, garlic, and chili powders, perfect for hearty gatherings and those who love a fiery, flavorful experience.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon cumin ⓘ
- 2 tomatoes, chopped ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon oregano ⓘ
- 1 pound steak, chopped ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon black pepper ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 2 tablespoons chili powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 onion, chopped ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons lard ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon basil ⓘ
- 3 cloves garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon paprika ⓘ
- 1 bouillon cube ⓘ
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, heat lard over medium heat.
- Add chopped onion and minced garlic; sauté until translucent.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, clove garlic, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomato paste and chopped tomato; cook for a few minutes.
- Crush bouillon cube into mixture and stir well.
- Add chopped steak and cook until browned.
- Pour in water or broth if needed to prevent sticking; simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider marinating the steak in the spices and a bit of lime juice for a couple of hours before cooking. If you don’t have lard, vegetable oil or butter can be used as substitutes. To adjust the heat, increase or decrease the cayenne pepper according to your taste. You can also mix in some beans for a heartier chili.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Ron's God Awful Chile hot, garnished with fresh cilantro or diced avocado for a refreshing contrast. This dish pairs wonderfully with cornbread or a side of rice as a great accompaniment. For a fun presentation, consider using it as a filling for Roll Your Own Soft Tacos for a casual meal.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. The flavors will meld beautifully after a day, making it even more delicious when reheated.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ron'S God Awful Chile contains roughly 494 calories, with 30g protein, 32g carbohydrates, and 29g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (60% of the Daily Value), iron (41% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (24% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 585mg per serving (25% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use ground beef instead of steak in this recipe?
Yes, ground beef is a suitable substitute for chopped steak. Cook it thoroughly until browned before adding the other ingredients. It will give a different texture but still deliver a great flavor.
How can I make this chili vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, replace the steak with a mix of black beans, kidney beans, and lentils for protein. Use vegetable broth instead of water and omit the bouillon cube for a fully plant-based dish without sacrificing flavor.
What can I add for extra heat?
To amp up the heat, consider adding diced jalapeños or serrano peppers when sautéing the onions and garlic. You can also increase the amount of cayenne pepper or add a dash of hot sauce just before serving to suit your spice preference.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).