Hairy Bikers Chilli Beef Crumble is made with stewing beef, smoked bacon lardons, onions, green pepper, red kidney or pinto beans, and a tasty crust of flour, cornmeal, sweetcorn, and Cheddar cheese. This easy Chilli Beef Crumble recipe creates a delicious dinner that takes about 2 hours to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.
Hairy Bikers Chilli Beef Crumble Ingredients
For The Filling:
- 3 Tbsp Olive Oil Or Lard
- 700g Stewing Beef Or Braising Steak, Diced
- 150g Smoked Bacon Lardons
- 2 Onions, Finely Chopped
- 1 Green Pepper, Diced
- 2 Bay Leaves
- 2 Tsp Dried Oregano
- 2 Tbsp Tomato Purée
- 2 Tsp Chilli Powder
- 1 Tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ Tsp Ground Allspice
- 1 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 2 Tsp Light Brown Soft Sugar
- 200ml Stout (A Chocolate One Is Good For This)
- 200ml Beef Stock
- 2 × 400g Cans Of Red Kidney Or Pinto Beans
- Salt And Black Pepper
For The Crust:
- 175g Plain Flour
- 175g Medium/coarse Cornmeal
- 1 Tsp Baking Powder
- 175g Butter
- 75g Buttermilk
- 100g Sweetcorn
- 100g Cheddar Cheese, Grated
How To Make Hairy Bikers Chilli Beef Crumble
- Sear the Beef: Heat half the oil or lard in a large flameproof casserole dish. Season the beef with salt and pepper and sear it until well browned in batches. Transfer each batch to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon and Vegetables: Add the remaining oil or lard to the casserole dish. Add the bacon, onions, and green pepper. Saute over medium-high heat until the bacon is crispy and the onions are slightly coloured. Add the herbs, tomato purée, spices, cocoa, and sugar. Stir until a grainy paste forms and it smells rich and caramelised.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the stout and stock, scraping the base to deglaze. Return the beef to the dish, add the beans, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and partially cover with a lid. Simmer for 1-1½ hours until the beef is tender and the sauce is a thick gravy.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the filling to an ovenproof dish, removing the bay leaves. Preheat the oven to 200°C (Fan 180°C/Gas 6).
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, and baking powder with a pinch of salt. Rub in the butter, then stir in the buttermilk to form a clumpy mixture. Stir in the sweetcorn and half the grated cheese. Sprinkle the mixture over the filling and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the crust is lightly browned and crisp, and the filling is bubbling underneath.
Recipe Tips
- Sear the Beef Properly: Ensure each piece of beef is well browned. This adds depth to the flavour and seals in the juices.
- Deglaze the Pan: When you add the stout and stock, scrape the bottom of the pan to lift all the tasty bits stuck there. This intensifies the overall taste.
- Don’t Skip the Cocoa: The cocoa powder might seem unusual, but it adds a rich, deep flavour that balances the spices perfectly.
- Consistent Simmering: Keep the heat low and simmer slowly to make the beef tender and the sauce thick and rich. Rushing this step can result in tough meat.
- Perfect the Crust: When making the crust, ensure the butter is cold and you don’t overmix it. This keeps the crust crumbly and delicious.
What To Serve With Chilli Beef Crumble
Chilli Beef Crumble pairs well with rice, green salad, garlic bread, or roasted veggies. You can also serve it with mashed potatoes, cornbread, coleslaw, or a baked potato for a filling and tasty meal.
How To Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: Place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How To Reheat Leftovers
- In The Oven: Preheat to 180°C (Fan 160°C/Gas 4). Cover the dish with foil and heat for 20-25 minutes until hot.
- In The Microwave: Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat on medium for 3-5 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- On the Stove: Heat in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Chilli Beef Crumble Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Protein: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Sugars: 7g
- Dietary Fibre: 10g
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
- Sodium: 750mg
Try More Hairy Bikers Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Cottage Pie
- Hairy Bikers Lamb Rogan Josh
- Hairy Bikers Salmon Tray Bake
- Hairy Bikers Pot Roast Brisket
Hairy Bikers Chilli Beef Crumble Recipe
Description
Hairy Bikers Chilli Beef Crumble is made with stewing beef, smoked bacon lardons, onions, green pepper, red kidney or pinto beans, and a tasty crust of flour, cornmeal, sweetcorn, and Cheddar cheese. This easy Chilli Beef Crumble recipe creates a delicious dinner that takes about 2 hours to prepare and can serve up to 6 people.
Ingredients
For The Filling:
For The Crust:
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat half the oil or lard in a large flameproof casserole dish. Season the beef with salt and pepper and sear it until well browned in batches. Transfer each batch to a plate and set aside.
- Cook the Bacon and Vegetables: Add the remaining oil or lard to the casserole dish. Add the bacon, onions, and green pepper. Saute over medium-high heat until the bacon is crispy and the onions are slightly coloured. Add the herbs, tomato purée, spices, cocoa, and sugar. Stir until a grainy paste forms and it smells rich and caramelised.
- Add Liquids and Simmer: Pour in the stout and stock, scraping the base to deglaze. Return the beef to the dish, add the beans, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and partially cover with a lid. Simmer for 1-1½ hours until the beef is tender and the sauce is a thick gravy.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the filling to an ovenproof dish, removing the bay leaves. Preheat the oven to 200°C (Fan 180°C/Gas 6).
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, mix the flour, cornmeal, and baking powder with a pinch of salt. Rub in the butter, then stir in the buttermilk to form a clumpy mixture. Stir in the sweetcorn and half the grated cheese. Sprinkle the mixture over the filling and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the crust is lightly browned and crisp, and the filling is bubbling underneath.
Notes
- Sear the Beef Properly: Ensure each piece of beef is well browned. This adds depth to the flavour and seals in the juices.
- Deglaze the Pan: When you add the stout and stock, scrape the bottom of the pan to lift all the tasty bits stuck there. This intensifies the overall taste.
- Don’t Skip the Cocoa: The cocoa powder might seem unusual, but it adds a rich, deep flavour that balances the spices perfectly.
- Consistent Simmering: Keep the heat low and simmer slowly to make the beef tender and the sauce thick and rich. Rushing this step can result in tough meat.
- Perfect the Crust: When making the crust, ensure the butter is cold and you don’t overmix it. This keeps the crust crumbly and delicious.