Use less expensive cuts of beef that are best cooked through
Save the steak for the grill (or your cast-iron skillet). For chili, use less expensive cuts of beef that are best cooked through.
1. Ground beef
This is the quickest and least expensive type of beef to use for chili. Yes, the dish still simmers for a while, but you don’t have to worry about tenderizing the meat.
2. Beef chuck
Diced beef chuck, which comes from the shoulder, is tough, but it becomes nicely tender when stewed for at least 90 minutes. It also has a beefier flavor than the ground stuff.
3. Brisket
This huge cut is usually barbecued or braised, but if you cut it into pieces, it works well in chili. After stewing for at least two hours, the chunks will pull into delicious shreds that can be piled onto tacos.
4. Short ribs
Short ribs are usually served whole, but they don’t have to be. Pull the meat off the bones and dice it up for a more luxe and luscious take on chili.
This article originally appeared on Food &Wine.
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