Firefighter's Secret Ingredient for the Perfect Chili Revealed

It's extra meaty.

My father-in-law used to be a firefighter. Over the years, he's recounted numerous tales from his time on the job. He has rescued countless individuals and faced dangers I'd prefer not to imagine. Truly, he is a hero! Similar to many others in his profession, the fire station felt almost like an extension of his own house. It served as a sanctuary where communal dinners frequently took place. The eatery had several signature dishes which became quite popular. tater tot casserole and bottomless blueberry pancakes , however, the chili was his favorite dish. It exuded coziness and evoked a sense of familiarity.

Battling blazes is serious work, as is preparing chili, particularly within the confines of a firehouse. This single-pot dish needs to be both delicious and sustaining enough for the team to carry out their duties effectively. What’s the secret to satisfying an entire squad of firefighters with only one dish? Prepare a large batch of hearty chili designed to keep them energized throughout their shifts.

It’s why My father-in-law’s firehouse makes their chili with sirloin steak instead of ground beef. Here’s why you ought to as well.

Ways to Enhance Your Chili with Steak

This distinctive firehouse chili begins not with ground beef but with chunks of meat. sirloin steak The chunks of meat are cooked in hot oil initially before incorporating the rest of the ingredients. These large pieces of meat enhance both the taste and consistency, making the chili seem particularly "fulfilling," according to my father-in-law.

Cooking the steak in a scorching skillet caramelizes its surface, enhancing its depth and amplifying its savory flavor. Letting these pieces of steak simmer in a robustly seasoned stock softens them until every morsel dissolves effortlessly. Indeed, this approach shows great wisdom; clearly, those firefighters understand their craft well!

Fortunately, replicating this enhancement at home is straightforward. Buy two pounds of sirloin steak and dice it into small cubes. Season the beef with salt and pepper, then coat it with two or three tablespoons of all-purpose flour.

Warm up several tablespoons of oil in a big Dutch oven. Shake off excess flour before adding the meat to the heated oil. Sear it until browned on all sides, then take it out. From here, you may proceed with your preferred chili recipe or Give this one a shot. !

If you want an easy way to enhance your bowl of chili, try starting with sirloin steak. If it meets the approval of a firefighter, then you can be confident it will satisfy you and your loved ones too.

Read the initial article on Simply Recipes .