The Best Chili

Written by Updated on January 26, 2022 in Main Course, Mexican
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This is by far the best chili that I’ve ever made. It is a combination of a few that I’ve had over the years with a couple of additions that I prefer. It can be easily modified to your personal taste, but this is a solid recipe on it’s own. I have tripled this recipe and it has turned out great every time. Enjoy!

The Best Chili
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The Best Chili

Recipe by Carmen SusmanCourse: Entrees, MexicanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6-8

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 
Total time

1

hour 

30

minutes

Ingredients

  • 5 strips uncooked bacon (chopped)

  • 1 large yellow onion (diced)

  • 1 red pepper (diced)

  • 3 cloves of minced garlic

  • 1 pound of ground beef (leaner beef works better)

  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar

  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder

  • 1 Tablespoon ancho chili powder

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

  • 1 1/2 teaspoon cumin

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

  • 1 1/2 cups beef broth

  • 15 oz can dark red kidney beans (rinsed and drained)

  • 15 oz can black beans (rinsed and drained)

  • 14.5 can diced fired roasted tomatoes

  • 7 oz can fire roasted green chilis

  • 1/4 cup tomato paste

  • 1 Tablespoon worcestershire sauce

  • 1 Tablespoon beef base

  • Preferred topping: sour cream, shredded cheese, raw onion, corn chips

Instructions

  • Place chopped (uncooked) bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until crisp and cooked through. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined place and drain all but 1 1/2 Tablespoons of grease.
  • Add onion and pepper and cook until softened. About 5 minutes.
  • Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  • Add beef, breaking apart with a spatula as you cook. Once meat is partially browned, ad sugar and all spices (chili powders, paprika, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne) and stir well.
  • Add all remaining ingredients (broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef base, cook bacon) and stir well.
  • Bring to boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Reduce to simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Serve with preferred toppings.

Notes & Prep

  • You can modify this recipe in many ways. Make is as spicy or less spicy as you want. Use turkey for a healthier version. Don’t like fire roasted green chilis, and more tomatoes! Bottom line, this chili recipe is sure to be a hit. One last thing. I used this recipe to go head to head with an award winning chef. I won.