Chef Nate’s Cowboy Chili
Simple, Rustic, Nutritious Meals from our Family Farm, Kitchen, and Heart to yours….
Chef Nate’s Cowboy Chili: A Hearty Meal After a Hard Day’s Work
Chili is more than just a dish in our home; it’s a tradition.There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction after a hard day’s work in the snowy mountains —chopping firewood, building fences, tending to our land, animals, and patrons. The rich aroma of simmering beef, bison, and savory spices, handcrafted by our CheFarmer Nate (no two recipes were ever the same with a Chef in the house). The slow-cooked flavors brought everyone together, reminding us why we do what we do—building a life around family, farming, and good food.
The History of Healing Broths
For centuries, healing broths have been a staple in homes around the world, providing nourishment, warmth, and comfort. Slow-simmered broths, much like our Cowboy Chili, extract deep flavors and nutrients, making them a cornerstone of hearty, sustaining meals. Just as our ancestors kept a pot of broth simmering over the fire, continuously adding ingredients to stretch its life, we embrace this same practice in our family kitchen.
The Ingredients of Comfort
This chili is packed with protein, warmth, and the perfect kick of spice. The combination of ground beef and bison gives it a rich, hearty base, while the slow-simmered tomatoes, garlic, and onion bring out deep, comforting flavors. The Cowboy Chili Spices tie it all together with just the right balance of heat and smokiness.
Ingredients:
1 Tbsp Olive Oil, Bacon Fat, or Tallow
1 lb Ground Beef
1 lb Ground Bison
1 large Yellow Onion, finely chopped
3 cloves Garlic, finely minced
2 (14.5 oz) cans Diced Tomatoes
3 (8 oz) cans Tomato Sauce
1/2 cup Beef Broth
3 Tbsp Cowboy Chili Spices
1 (15 oz) can Black Beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz) can Pinto Beans, drained and rinsed
Shredded Cheddar Cheese, for serving
Directions
Heat olive oil or fat in a large and deep non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and sauté for 3 minutes, then add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds longer. Pour onions into a 6 or 7-quart slow cooker.
Return skillet to medium-high heat, add beef and bison, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat has browned.
Drain most of the fat from the meat, leaving about 2 Tbsp in with the beef (this is optional, as it adds flavor, but you can drain it all if you prefer). Pour the browned beef into the slow cooker.
Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and Cowboy Chili Spices.
Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 5 - 6 hours.
Stir in beans and allow them to heat through, about 2 minutes.
Serve warm with shredded cheddar cheese and any desired toppings.
A Mountain Life Essential
One of the best things about Cowboy Chili is that it can keep going for days, just like the healing broths of old. You can continue adding liquid and ingredients like potatoes or leftover hearty veggies, keeping the crock going for a week. It’s the perfect way to make the most of what you have and ensure that there’s always something warm and nourishing ready after a long day.
Gathering Around the Table
By the time the chili is ready, the family has settled in, hands washed, hearts full. There’s a sense of peace in these moments—the kind that only comes from hard work, shared meals, and gratitude for the simple things.
This Cowboy Chili is more than just a meal; it’s a way of bringing us together. A reminder that at the end of a long day, nothing is more important than family, and the comfort of a warm bowl of something made with love.
So, pull up a chair, grab a bowl, and savor the taste of tradition. From our ranch to your table—may your bellies be full, your hearts be warm, and your home always be filled with the rich aroma of love and good food.
Easy Peasy Steak Tips
It all begins with an idea.
Easy Peasy Steak Tips Recipe - 4 Ingredients!
Steak Tips Recipe
This Sirloin Steak Tips Recipe will be a go-to when meal prepping or whipping up your beef or bison steaks.
This recipe uses sirloin, but some other options would be ribeye steak or beef tenderloin (filet mignon) or any bison steak . You can use any type of steak but you might not want to use a higher quality cut OR a lower quality cut in this application. It’s all up to you and your family’s needs!
This simple recipe only uses four ingredients! (salt and pepper are generally not included in ingredient counts.) Anything more can take away from that delicious natural flavor. Here are the ingredients you will need.
2-3 pounds Sirloin steak - I wouldn't go with a cheaper cut for this recipe. This steak is cooked quickly, so you need a tender cut of beef. Something cheaper will usually be tougher to chew (definitely skip stew meat!). We want tender steak bites! More expensive cuts of steak would be good, like a New York strip steak, ribeye steak, or filet mignon, but its up to you what you prefer to cut into steak tips.
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce - This sauce is commonly used on beef, and it brings out the beefy flavor of the sirloin and tenderizes the meat while it marinates for a bit. Note: You can make your own if you don’t have this on hand.
½ teaspoon Garlic powder - To give these steak bites a nice garlic flavor, but not too much. Using a powder over fresh garlic allows it to stick to the meat and seasons it well.
1 teaspoon kosher salt - If you use less coarse salt, like table salt, you will need half the amount.
¼ teaspoon black pepper - freshly ground is preferred
2 tablespoons oil - Any oil will do. Avocado oil is good for high-heat cooking so it doesn't smoke. You could also use vegetable oil, olive oil, or canola oil. Butter is not recommended as it burns quickly.
How to cook sirloin steak tips
Step 1 - Use a sharp knife to cut the sirloin steak into bite-sized pieces (about 1 to 1.5 inches). You don't have to worry about slicing against the grain because we are cutting these into cubes. Transfer the steak to a medium size mixing bowl.
Step 2 - Season the steak tips with the marinade ingredients. Toss with tongs to coat the steak well with the marinade. Let marinate for 15-30 minutes. For great flavor, marinate for up to 24 hours.
Step 3 - These steak bites must be cooked at high temperatures for the best results. Heat a large skillet over high heat. When the skillet is hot, pour in the oil. Note: You will want to use a large heavy pan, such as a cast iron skillet, to get maximum browning on your steak bites without overcooking.
Step 4 - Carefully add the sirloin tips to the hot skillet in a single layer. If your skillet is large enough, you may be able to fit all of the meat, but do not crowd the pan, or else they will steam, and there is a good chance they will not get golden brown. You may need to cook these in batches.
Stir the steak every 30 seconds to 1 minute to ensure it is evenly cooked on all sides. Let cook for 4-5 minutes. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon or tongs to a serving dish. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Note: If you want to ensure your steak bites cook to a specific internal temperature like rare or medium-rare, you can use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted in the center of the steak pieces. Check after cooking for 3-4 minutes.
Chef’s Tips (pun intended)
Bite-sized pieces of sirloin steak are great, but don't make them too small, or they will overcook before they get brown.
Make sure your pan is nice and hot before adding the oil.
Don't overcrowd your cast iron pan while cooking. This will result in steamed steak instead of giving you delicious steak tips with a nice brown crust. Brown food tastes good!
Letting the beef tips marinate for at least 15 minutes adds to the flavor and also adds to the tenderness! You can also let them marinate in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
S.M.A.R.T. Ways to Cook, Save, and Live Sustainably…
Cook as many pounds as you think your family will eat during the workweek (plus an extra meals worth).
After cooking, put 1 meals worth of meat in a vacuum sealed bag in the freezer for a quick future meal.
ALWAYS reheat steak in the OVEN with enough liquid.
After day 2 or 3 of leftovers, put the remaining steak in a pot pie, a stew or chili, or at the very least put in the FREEZER! One extra future meal adds up.
🔹 Sustainable Solutions – Eco-friendly and resource-conscious choices.
🔹 Money-Saving – Cost-effective ways to reduce food waste and expenses.
🔹 Accessible – Easy-to-use, practical tools for everyday cooking.
🔹 Resourceful – Maximizing ingredients, space, and energy efficiency.
🔹 Time-Saving – Quick and convenient meal preparation.