Introduction
Few meals are as comforting as a warm bowl of spicy beef chili served with freshly baked cornmeal biscuits. This hearty dish combines bold chili flavors with soft, golden biscuits that have the nutty sweetness of cornbread and the light texture of traditional biscuits.
The chili itself is rich and flavorful, made with tender chunks of beef, vegetables, and warming spices. Sweet potatoes add a subtle natural sweetness and creamy texture that balances the heat of the chili peppers.
Paired with fluffy cornmeal biscuits, this recipe creates a satisfying meal that’s perfect for cool evenings, family dinners, or casual gatherings.
Why This Recipe Works
Perfect flavor balance
Spicy chili peppers are balanced by sweet potatoes and hearty beans.
Tender beef texture
Chunks of beef provide rich flavor and a satisfying bite.
Fluffy cornmeal biscuits
The biscuits combine the best qualities of cornbread and classic biscuits.
Great comfort meal
This dish is perfect for cold weather or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
Serves 6
Cornmeal Biscuits
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
Spicy Beef Chili
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, finely minced
- 1 poblano pepper, diced
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
- 1 lb beef steak or beef chunks
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes (about 14 oz)
- 1 small can Mexican green chilies
- 1 cup cooked white beans
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground ancho chili pepper
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons masa harina
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the cornmeal biscuit dough
In a large bowl whisk together the cornmeal, buttermilk, and honey. Set aside.
In a food processor combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cold butter pieces. Pulse several times until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add the cornmeal mixture and pulse just until the dough begins to come together.
3. Shape the biscuits
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently about 8–10 times.
Pat the dough into a 9-inch circle, then cut out about 8 biscuits using a biscuit cutter.
4. Bake the biscuits
Place biscuits on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake for 5 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 400°F (200°C) and continue baking for 8–10 minutes until golden.
Allow them to cool slightly on a rack.
5. Cook the chili vegetables
In a large pot heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add the diced onion, jalapeño, poblano pepper, and sweet potato. Cook until the onion becomes soft and translucent.
Remove the vegetables and set aside.
6. Brown the beef
In the same pot add a little more oil and sear the beef pieces over medium-high heat until browned on all sides.
7. Build the chili
Return the vegetables to the pot.
Add:
- tomatoes
- beef broth
- green chilies
- spices
Stir well and allow the chili to simmer over low heat for about 45 minutes.
8. Add beans and thicken
Near the end of cooking, stir in the white beans.
Mix the masa harina with a little water to form a paste, then add it to the chili. Simmer for another 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
9. Serve
Serve the hot chili in bowls alongside warm cornmeal biscuits.
Pro Cooking Tips
✔ Sear the beef in batches for better flavor.
✔ Let the chili rest before serving to deepen the flavor.
✔ Cold butter helps create flaky, tender biscuits.
✔ If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice and let sit for 10 minutes.
Best Side Dishes
This meal pairs well with:
- Fresh green salad
- Avocado slices
- Roasted vegetables
- Pickled onions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chili ahead of time?
Yes. Chili often tastes even better the next day after the flavors have blended together.
Can I freeze the chili?
Yes. Store it in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Can I make the biscuits without a cutter?
Yes. You can shape the dough with a glass or simply cut squares using a knife.
Nutrition Information (Approximate)
Per serving
- Calories: 520
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fat: 24g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sodium: 580mg
Recipe Summary
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Difficulty: Medium
