Name: Chris' Chili
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 135 min
Ingredients: 0.25 cup bacon grease (see notes); 1.5 pounds boneless beef round steak, cut into 1/3-inch cubes; 1.5 pounds beef sirloin steak, cut into 1/3-inch cubes; 1.5 cups onion soup, prepared from a packet of dry onion soup mix; 3 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, undrained; 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce; 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste; 1 tablespoon chili powder; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon salt; 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 cup cola soft drink (such as Coke®); 1 tablespoon yellow sport pepper sauce (such as Texas Petes's®); 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Chris' Chili

4.6

(117)

100 Reviews

7 Photos

This Coca-Cola chili is my recipe, and it has won over 12 chili cook-offs, so I figured I'd share. It is a medium steak and bean chili similar to Steak N' Shake's chili — but better. It is somewhat involved, but trust me, it is worth every minute. Try it; you will not be disappointed.

Recipe by ChrisG

Updated on October 20, 2022

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

1 hr 45 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 15 mins

Servings:

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

¼ cup bacon grease (see notes)
1 ½ pounds boneless beef round steak, cut into 1/3-inch cubes
1 ½ pounds beef sirloin steak, cut into 1/3-inch cubes
1 ½ cups onion soup, prepared from a packet of dry onion soup mix
3 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, undrained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 cup cola soft drink (such as Coke®)
1 tablespoon yellow sport pepper sauce (such as Texas Petes's®)
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder

Directions

Place bacon grease into a large stainless steel soup pot over medium-high heat. Cook and stir cubed round and sirloin steak meat in hot bacon grease until well browned, about 10 minutes. Pour in onion soup and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 7 minutes, stirring to dissolve any browned flavor bits from the bottom of the pot.
Stir in kidney beans, tomato sauce, tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently to avoid burning the bottom. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Stir in cola, pepper sauce, and cocoa. Simmer until flavors blend, about 20 more minutes. Serve hot.

Tips

Place steaks in the freezer for about 15 minutes before cutting. This helps firm up the meat, making it easier to slice.

Use regular cola, not diet or caffeine-free.

You can serve chili immediately, but for best results, transfer to a slow cooker pot and chill for 8 hours to overnight and up to 48 hours. When ready to serve, heat in a covered slow cooker on High for about 3 hours; then set to Low for serving.

To Get Bacon Grease: Cook about 4 slices bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Save cooked bacon for another use. Retain about 1/4 cup bacon grease; discard the rest, if any.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

305	Calories
11g	Fat
20g	Carbs
32g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 14
Calories 305
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 11g	14%
Saturated Fat 4g	20%
Cholesterol 69mg	23%
Sodium 710mg	31%
Total Carbohydrate 20g	7%
Dietary Fiber 7g	24%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 32g
Vitamin C 5mg	25%
Calcium 50mg	4%
Iron 4mg	24%
Potassium 472mg	10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.