The Best Chili Recipe

October 11, 2023 • 0 comments

You simply can't beat a good chili recipe when it comes to hearty, satisfying meals. The appeal of chili lies not only in its robust flavour but also in its ease of preparation and low-maintenance cooking process. The majority of the work lies in the initial preparation, selecting the right blend of spices and ingredients to create a flavourful profile. After that, it's all about the cooking time. Letting it simmer and stew, allowing the flavours to meld together, results in a dish that's both comforting and incredibly tasty.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients

(2 pounds) Beef Ground
(1x diced) Onion
(1x seeded and finely diced) Jalapeno
(4x minced) Cloves Garlic
(2 ½ tablespoons divided (or to taste)) Chili Powder
(1 teaspoon) Cumin
(1x seeded and diced) Green Bell Pepper
(14 ½ ounces) Crushed Tomatoes Canned
(19 ounces drained & rinsed) Kidney Beans Canned
(14 ½ ounces diced with juice) Tomatoes
(1 ½ cups) Beef Broth
(1 cup) Beer (extra broth can be used in lieu of beer)
(1 tablespoon) Tomato Paste
(1 tablespoon) Brown Sugar (optional)
(to taste) Salt
(to taste) Pepper

Directions

Instructions for How to Cook Chili

Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder.
In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat.
Add in the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness.
Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favourite toppings.

The Seasoning

The recipe calls for chili powder and cumin, which can be store-bought or homemade.
Curious about what chili powder is made of? Sweet paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, onion powder, oregano and cumin.
Mix Chili Powder into the raw ground beef before cooking to ensure every morsel is seasoned to perfection.

To Thicken Chili

When making chili on the stove, simmer it uncovered which allows the chili to thicken naturally without having to add cornstarch or flour. While thickening chili by simmering is the best option, you may not always have time to let it reduce. If you don’t have time to simmer it to thicken you can sprinkle in a little bit of cornmeal or make a cornstarch or flour slurry and add it in.

If you can spare a few extra minutes, just let it simmer uncovered.

It's Just SO Good

Whether you're hosting a casual weekend gathering, looking for warmth on a chilly winter day, or preparing meals ahead of time for the busy work week, this recipe serves as the perfect solution. Its flavours develop even better over time, making it an excellent choice for multi-day meal planning. Moreover, it’s an absolute crowd-pleaser that can easily be doubled or tripled for larger events. Let this aromatic and hearty chili work its magic.

Notes

Optional toppings when serving: sour cream, red or green onion, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado & lime wedges, crunched-up tortilla chips.

Original recipe by Spend With Pennies