A celebration of Filipino food and the search for a connection to my past

IP Texas-style Chili

https://www.lemonblossoms.com/blog/instant-pot-chili/

https://stripedspatula.com/instant-pot-chili-texas-style/

So I get my Texas Style Chili recipe from these two sites (above). But I have altered my recipe for my tastes.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (vegetable or canola oil)
  • 2 pounds cubed stew beef
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 (15-ounces) cans diced tomatoes (I use fire-roasted)
  • 1 (6-ounces) can tomato paste
  • 12 ounces beer (amber ale)
  • 1 cup beef broth (2 cups if you don’t use beer)
  • 1 chopped Chipotle pepper (Only 1 pepper per batch! It adds a nice smoky flavor.)
  • 2 tablespoons masa harina (or crushed tortilla chips)
  • 1 small lime (juiced)

Optional Toppings

  • Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • Sour Cream
  • Tortilla chips or corn chips
  • Sliced Avocado

How To Make Instant Pot Chili

  • First, press the “saute” setting on your pressure cooker. Brown the ground beef in a bit of oil until the beef is no longer pink.
  • Add the onions and garlic and cook for a few minutes.
  • Stir in the spices and salt.
  • Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, chopped Chipotle pepper, beer and beef broth. Stir to combine and then press “cancel”.
  • Cover and seal the instant pot. Cook on manual mode (high pressure) for 20 minutes.
  • When the cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then do a quick release.
  • While the pressure is releasing naturally, make a slurry by mixing the masa harina with water.
  • Turn the saute setting on and slowly stir in the masa mixture and squeeze the lime juice into the pot. Cook for about 3 minutes, then press “cancel”. Serve with your preferred toppings.

Notes:

  • Cubed Stew Beef: I usually get ground sirloin (90% lean – 10% fat). I use lean beef so I don’t have to drain the meat, however, this recipe works with all hamburger meat!
  • Onions: Brown, yellow, white or red onions, diced.
  • Oil: I use olive oil but any mild oil like avocado, vegetable or canola oil can be used.
  • Garlic: I use fresh garlic but garlic paste can be used as well. In a pinch, you can use garlic powder or the jarred minced garlic, but lately, I’ve hear a lot of chefs diss jarred garlic.
  • Tomatoes and Tomato Paste: Canned diced tomatoes. You can use tomatoes with chiles if you like. I like to use fire-roasted tomatoes and I keep tomato paste in the freezer.
  • Beer: You can use any amber ale beer or Mexican cerveza. Although the alcohol in the beer cooks off, If you prefer not to use beer add extra beef broth.
  • Beef Broth: I often use chicken broth as I always have some in my pantry.
  • Masa Harina: Masa gives a very distinct flavor to chilis and Tex Mex dishes. (Basically, I use crushed up tortilla chips to thicken.)
  • 1 can Chipotle peppers (these come in small cans and I use one and throw the rest in a ziploc bag and throw in the freezer for next time.)
  • Spices: Chile powder, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, salt, pepper
  • Also, fresh lime juice.
  • Toppings: Optional but highly recommended. Here are some suggestions: Shredded Cheddar cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, corn chips, avocado slices. I don’t use them but some people use sliced jalapeños or diced onions.