Recipe for Leftover Bourbon Beef Chili with Cornbread Top
Sometimes it isn’t so obvious what to do with leftovers, but this recipe for Leftover Bourbon Butter Beef Chili with a Cornbread Top takes a hearty Sunday dinner and turns it into a fast and easy, family-style meal with a completely different flavor. If you don’t have leftover roast beef, that’s completely fine. Just substitute ground beef (pork, turkey etc.) instead. As a complete bonus, there are two ways to prepare the cornbread in the recipe too. Top the chili for a different take or make it the traditional way and serve your homemade cornbread on the side.
Recipe for Leftover Bourbon Beef Chili with Cornbread Top
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- 1 lb. (0.5 kg) leftover roast beef, cut into bite sized cubes (sub fresh ground beef)
- 2 tbsp. (28 g) butter
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced/grated
- 2 jalapeno peppers, diced
- 3 tbsp. (24 g) chili seasoning mix, Club House, Old el Paso, etc.
- ½ can (7 oz/207 ml) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp. (30 ml) tomato paste
- ½ can (9 oz. 270 ml) red kidney beans (optional)
- ½ can (236 ml) beer, lager, porter or stout
- 2 tbsp. (30 ml) bourbon
- 2 boxes (17 g) cornbread mix, follow instructions *or
Cornbread:
- 1¼ cups (160 g) cornmeal
- ¾ cup (113 g) flour
- ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
- 1 tsp. (6 g) salt
- 2 tsp. (10 g) baking powder
- ½ tsp. (1.25 g) baking soda
- 1 1/3 cup (315 ml) buttermilk
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ cup (118 ml) butter, melted
- Preheat a large cast iron frying pan over direct, medium-high heat.
- Sauté the onion in the butter until it begins to soften, then add the garlic, cooking until fragrant. Add the jalapeno and the leftover beef.
*If you are not using leftover roast beef, cook the ground beef until browned, drain and return to heat. - Add the chili seasoning mix, stirring it in thoroughly. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, beer and bourbon. Simmer on low heat while you prepare the cornbread mix.
- Make the cornbread mix according to the directions on the box or use the recipe below.
- Remove the cast iron pan from the barbecue and turn up the burners to heat the grill to 375°F (190°C).
- Pour the cornbread batter over the top of the chili. Place back onto the barbecue and close the lid. Bake for 30 minutes or until the cornbread is golden on top.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving family-style topped with sour cream, cheese and chives.
Cornbread:
- Combine all of the dry ingredients into a large bowl and whisk until uniform.
- In a separate bowl combine the buttermilk and eggs. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Then add the butter, whisking until smooth.
TO BAKE IF NOT USING FOR CHILI
- Reserve 1 tbsp. of the melted butter. Preheat your oven or barbecue to 425°F (218°C) with a cast iron frying pan.
- Pour the remaining butter into the heated cast iron frying pan, then pour the batter on top of that.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cornbread is golden around the edges and set in the middle.
I don’t know about you, but this recipe for Leftover Bourbon Butter Beef Chili with Cornbread Top definitely made it onto the favorites list. Kids and adults alike will love this recipe. Serve it on game night when you need a fast meal or just because. Because who doesn’t love a delicious bowl of chili to warm the soul? Now the big question. Do you put beans in your chili? Tell us your opinion and share your recipe photos on our social pages and tell us how you Freestyle your steak! Share on Facebook and Instagram, using the hashtags #NapoleonEats and #FreestyleGrilling.
Happy Grilling!
Gather ingredients
Season the meat, onion, garlic and jalapeno with chili seasonings
Simmer while you make the cornbread top
Once you pour the cornbread batter on top, bake until golden
Serve, family-style, with your favorite toppings
Enjoy it hot
Do you like yours spicy or mild?
I used to be the Sultana of Sizzle, but you can call me Andrea. I have always been passionate about food. Even though I was majoring in Art and Graphic Design, I would frequently be found cooking for my friends and family.
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Feeding a family or a group for a special occasion is easy with this Smoky Bourbon Butter Roast of Beef recipe.
Gather ingredients
Season the meat, onion, garlic and jalapeno with chili seasonings
Simmer while you make the cornbread top
Once you pour the cornbread batter on top, bake until golden
Serve, family-style, with your favorite toppings
Enjoy it hot
Do you like yours spicy or mild?