Alright, lemme tell you ’bout this chili recipe, see? It ain’t fancy, but it’s good eatin’. This one’s got them sirloin tips, makes it a bit more fillin’, you know? My grandpappy used to say, “A good chili warms you up from the inside out!” And he was right, bless his soul.
First thing you gotta do is get your meat. Now, you want them sirloin tips, they’re the best part, tender and juicy. Chop ’em up, not too small, not too big, just right, like a mouthful, you get me? Brown that meat in a big ol’ pot. I always use my big cast iron one, it’s older than me, but it does the trick.
Once that meat’s browned up nice, throw in some chopped onions and garlic. Now, don’t be shy with the garlic. Garlic’s good for what ails ya, they say. Cook that up ’til the onions are soft, like they’re givin’ up, you know?
Next, you gotta add your spices. Chili powder, of course, that’s the main thing. I like mine with a good kick, so I put a heapin’ spoonful. Then some cumin, that gives it that earthy taste. A little bit of oregano, too, if you got it. Don’t forget salt and pepper! Gotta season it right, else it’ll be bland as dishwater.
- Sirloin tips, chopped up
- Onions, lots of ’em
- Garlic, don’t be stingy!
- Chili powder, the more the merrier
- Cumin, just a pinch
- Oregano, if you’re feelin’ fancy
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Tomatoes, the canned kind is fine
- Beans, kidney or pinto, your choice
- Broth, beef or chicken, whatever you got
- A secret ingredient, just a little is enough
Now, this is where it gets interestin’. You gotta add some tomatoes. I just use the canned kind, diced or crushed, whatever you got. Then some beans. Kidney beans are good, or pinto beans. Some folks don’t like beans in their chili, but I say, beans make it a meal!
After you put all those in, you gotta add some liquid. Now, you could use water, but why would you? Use broth, beef broth or chicken broth, whatever you got. Gives it more flavor, see? My grandma always said, “If you’re gonna do somethin’, do it right!” And she was right about that, bless her heart.
One more thing, kinda a secret, you see. I learned this from ol’ Mrs. Henderson, back in the day. You put just a little bit of that vinegar, the dark kind, balsamic they call it, right at the end. Just a splash, mind you, not too much. It just makes all them other flavors pop, like firecrackers on the Fourth of July! Mrs. Henderson, she knew her stuff, I tell ya. She said it brings out that “sweet acidity,” which means it’s a bit sour but tasty. She could be right, that’s what people say.
Stir it all up good, then bring it to a boil. Once it’s boilin’, turn the heat down low, cover it up, and let it simmer. The longer it simmers, the better it gets. Like a good marriage, it just gets better with time, you know? I let mine simmer for at least a couple of hours. Gives all them flavors a chance to get to know each other, like folks at a church social.
Now, you can eat it right away, but it’s even better the next day. Somethin’ about sittin’ overnight just makes it taste better. Like it’s had time to think about things, you know? It is the best chili you ever taste. I usually eat the chili with sirloin tips for two or three days.
When you’re ready to eat, just ladle it into a bowl. Some folks like to put cheese on top, or sour cream. Me, I like it plain. Just good ol’ chili, nothin’ fancy. But it’s good, I tell ya. It’ll stick to your ribs and keep you warm on a cold night. It has extra depth of flavor, much better than just beef.
Now that is a tasty meal. You can use chuck roast if you do not have sirloin tips, but 80% to 85% lean ground beef is also a good choice. Remember to add that balsamic vinegar, it will make a difference. You will like it!
So there you have it, my recipe for chili with them sirloin tips. It ain’t fancy, but it’s good eatin’. And that’s all that matters, right? Good food, good company, good times. That’s what life’s all about, ain’t it? Just like my grandpappy used to say, “A full belly and a happy heart, that’s all you need!” And he was right, bless his soul. He sure did love a good bowl of chili, just like me.
