The Best Chili Recipe (Award Winning!)
Ingredients
- 5 strips uncooked bacon
chopped¹
- 1 large yellow onion)
diced (about 1 cup
- 1 red pepper
diced
- 3 cloves garlic)
minced (about 1 Tablespoon
- 1 lb ground beef)
(455g
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon chili powder²
- 1 Tablespoon ancho chili powder²
- 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoons ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper³
- 1 ¼ cup beef broth)
(295ml
- 15 oz can dark red kidney beans)
lightly rinsed and drained (425g
- 15 oz can black beans)
lightly rinsed and drained (425
- 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes)
undrained (411g
- 7- oz can fire roasted green chilis)
(198g
- ¼ cup tomato paste)
(66g
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Preferred toppings
particularly sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips
Directions
- 1
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 plate and drain all but 1 ½ Tablespoons of grease.
- 2
Add onion and pepper and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- 3
Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- 4
Add beef, breaking apart with a spatula as you cook. Once meat is partially (about 50%) browned, add sugar and all spices (chili powders, paprika, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper) and stir well.
- 5
Add all remaining ingredients -- beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, and Worcestershire sauce -- and your cooked bacon and stir well.
- 6
Bring to a boil and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- 7
Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 30 minutes to allow flavor to really develop.
- 8
Serve with preferred toppings (sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips are a must!)
The Best Chili Recipe (Award Winning!)
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About this Recipe
Craving that award-winning, soul-warming bowl of chili? This family-favorite recipe, featuring savory bacon and hearty ground beef, is designed to be your go-to comfort food for chilly days, simmering on the stove to perfection. It's truly The Best Chili Recipe! What makes this chili the "BEST" is its layered flavor profile. Starting with crisp bacon adds a foundation of smoky richness, while fire-roasted tomatoes and green chilis infuse a deep, complex taste. A blend of classic chili spices like ancho chili powder and smoked paprika, along with a touch of brown sugar, creates a beautifully balanced and incredibly satisfying dish in just about 30 minutes of simmer time. Get ready for a truly robust and comforting experience. Each spoonful delivers a rich, savory broth brimming with tender ground beef and a hearty mix of dark red kidney beans and black beans. You'll taste the subtle smoky notes from the bacon and fire-roasted ingredients, balanced by a hint of sweetness and a gentle warmth from cayenne pepper. This chili is satisfyingly thick and full of texture, perfect for a cozy meal that feels both gourmet and homey. This versatile chili easily adapts to your pantry and preferences. While bacon provides a fantastic depth of flavor, you can omit it if necessary for a different take. Feel free to use your preferred ground beef; 90% lean works wonderfully, but any variety will cook down nicely. For an extra kick, consider a little more cayenne pepper, or dial it back if you prefer a milder chili. This hearty chili is the ultimate cold-weather companion. Serve it piping hot as a stand-alone meal, or pair it with a side of warm buttermilk cornbread for a truly classic comfort food experience. Don't forget the toppings—a dollop of sour cream, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, and some crunchy corn chips are highly recommended for the full award-winning effect.