Get ready to experience a culinary explosion that will rock your world! This Smoky Beef Chili with Spiced Cornbread Muffins is the ultimate comfort food, taking your taste buds on a thrilling, flavor-packed adventure. As the bold culinary rebel behind Maxivore.com, I’m here to show you how to transform an ordinary meal into a sensational food experience that will leave you craving more.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky Beef Chili with Spiced Cornbread Muffins
Prepare to be blown away by this epic fusion of smoky, spicy, and sweet flavors. The rich, beefy chili is infused with a mind-blowing array of spices, creating a flavor profile that will have your taste buds dancing with joy. And the mouthwatering spiced cornbread muffins? They’re the perfect accompaniment, adding a delectable textural contrast that takes this dish to the next level. Get ready to smash this insane combo and experience a culinary revolution in your own kitchen!
Ingredients
Gather your ingredients for an explosive flavor experience! You’ll need ground beef, onions, bell peppers, garlic, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and a few other key players. For the spiced cornbread muffins, you’ll need cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and a few special spices to really make them pop.
- 2 lbs – Ground beef
- 1 large – Onion, diced
- 2 medium – Bell peppers, diced
- 6 cloves – Garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can – Tomato sauce
- 2 cups – Beef broth
- 2 tbsp – Chili powder
- 1 tbsp – Ground cumin
- 1 tsp – Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp – Oregano
- 1 tsp – Salt
- 1/2 tsp – Black pepper
- 1 1/4 cups – Cornmeal
- 1 cup – All-purpose flour
- 2 tsp – Baking powder
- 2 tbsp – Granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp – Salt
- 1 tsp – Chili powder
- 1/2 tsp – Smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup – Unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup – Buttermilk
- 1 large – Egg
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey or plant-based ground meat (to make it leaner or vegetarian)
- Spice Level: Reduce chili powder and smoked paprika to adjust the heat level (for those who don’t like it too spicy)
How to Make Smoky Beef Chili with Spiced Cornbread Muffins
Let’s dive into the steps to create this epic flavor explosion!
Step 1: Prep Work
Start by chopping your onions and bell peppers, and mincing the garlic. Get those spices ready to unleash their magic, and preheat your oven to 400°F for the sensational spiced cornbread muffins.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
In a large pot, brown the ground beef with the onions and bell peppers. Once the beef is cooked through, add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir it all together and let the flavors meld, then pour in the tomato sauce and beef broth. Simmer this insane chili mixture for 30-45 minutes, until it’s rich, thick, and bursting with smoky, spicy goodness.
Step 3: Cornbread Muffins
While the chili is simmering, whip up the spiced cornbread muffin batter. In a large bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, chili powder, and smoked paprika. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, buttermilk, and egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Scoop the irresistible batter into a greased muffin tin and bake for 18-22 minutes, until the muffins are golden brown and oh-so-tempting.
Step 4: Assemble & Serve
Now it’s time to serve up this epic flavor combo – ladle the smoky beef chili into bowls and top with the mouthwatering spiced cornbread muffins. Get ready for the ultimate food adventure, y’all!
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Coffee Kick: Add a splash of strong brewed coffee to the chili for an extra layer of complexity.
- Cinnamon Twist: Stir in a touch of cinnamon to the chili for a warm, cozy twist.
- Spice it Up: Experiment with different types of peppers, from jalapeños to habaneros, to dial up the heat in the chili.
- Sweet Cornbread: Swap in honey or maple syrup for the sugar in the cornbread muffin batter.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: Sour cream, shredded cheese, diced avocado, and crispy tortilla strips for an epic crunch.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Just reheat and enjoy this insane flavor explosion all over again!
Nutrition Information
Brace yourself for an incredible nutritional punch! This Smoky Beef Chili with Spiced Cornbread Muffins is a powerhouse of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Each serving packs a massive 30 grams of protein, along with a hefty dose of antioxidants and complex carbs to keep you fueled and satisfied. Indulge in this revolutionary dish with confidence, knowing you’re nourishing your body with amazing, wholesome ingredients.
- Serving Size: 1 bowl of chili with 1 cornbread muffin
- Calories: 586 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Carbs: 56 g
- Fat: 27 g
- Sodium: 1,032 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of beef is best for this chili?
Ground beef is the classic choice for this chili, as it provides the rich, beefy flavor and satisfying texture. You can use 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef for best results.
Can I make this dish vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! Swap out the ground beef for plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu to make this a delicious vegetarian or vegan option. Just be sure to adjust the seasoning to your liking.
How can I make the cornbread muffins even spicier?
For an extra kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or finely chopped jalapeño to the cornbread batter. You can also substitute a portion of the all-purpose flour with cornmeal for a heartier, spicier texture.
How long does the chili need to simmer?
The chili should simmer for 30-45 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the texture to thicken up. The longer it simmers, the richer and more intense the flavor will become.
Can I freeze the leftover chili and muffins?
Absolutely! Both the chili and the cornbread muffins freeze beautifully. Simply store them in airtight containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and enjoying.
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Print
Smoky Beef Chili with Spiced Cornbread Muffins
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: 🔥 FIRE ZONE
- Method: Stovetop and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A hearty and smoky beef chili, paired with deliciously spiced cornbread muffins. Perfect for warming up on a cold day!
Ingredients
For the Chili:
– 2 lbs ground beef
– 1 large onion, diced
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
– 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
– 2 tbsp chili powder
– 1 tbsp cumin
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup beef broth
For the Cornbread Muffins:
– 1 cup cornmeal
– 1 cup all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup sugar
– 1 tbsp baking powder
– 1/2 tsp salt
– 1 cup milk
– 2 large eggs
– 1/4 cup melted butter
– 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
1. 1. In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Drain excess fat.
2. 2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened.
3. 3. Stir in black beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
4. 4. Reduce heat and let chili cook for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. 5. While the chili is cooking, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
6. 6. In a bowl, mix together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
7. 7. In another bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and melted butter. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
8. 8. If using, stir in cayenne pepper for added heat.
9. 9. Pour batter into greased muffin tins and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
10. 10. Serve chili hot with cornbread muffins on the side.
Notes
For extra flavor, top the chili with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions. The cornbread muffins can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl of chili + 1 muffin
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 15g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: chili, beef, cornbread, spicy, comfort food