This Chili recipe is so delicious, it will not disappoint even the pickiest eaters. Of course it will not disappoint, it’s made with bacon, ground beef, vegetables, beans, and tasty combination of spices to make chili seasoning. This perfectly comforting and classic dish makes a great weekend dinner. Make a big batch of it because chili is even better reheated than it is freshly made.
Chili is also a great dish to serve at football parties and my Boozy Chili is a perfect choice for that. Turkey Chili is a great healthy option for a protein loaded and lean dinner. No matter what chili you make, don’t forget to serve some homemade cornbread with it.
CHILI RECIPE
Would anyone be surprised if I said that beef chili is my kid’s favorite dish? I am still surprised, especially since it is baby girl’s absolute favorite thing to eat. Yes, my 16-month old loves chili more than anything.
I am more than happy to spend a couple of hours making a big batch of chili for the family. Chili is a healthy dish because it’s made with lean meat, vegetables, and beans. It’s loaded with protein, fiber, and iron.
Besides tasting great, I like adding beans to my chili because it does have great nutritional value. So if you’re debating whether to add beans to chili or not, I say go for it!
Now, my Texas friends, don’t come after me for putting beans in the chili. I know that the original Chili Con Carne is made with meat and chilis and many Texans stay true to the original recipe. On the other hand, the idea of putting beans in the chili has been around for a long time now and in a way, it’s just as classic as the original way.
Tradition or not, when it comes to cooking for yourself and the family, we all do what we like best. And of course, what tastes the best.
HOW TO MAKE IT IN A CROCK POT
Slow cooker lovers will be happy to know that chili can just as easily be made in a Crock Pot.
Begin by browning bacon in a cooking pan, over medium heat. Add ground beef, break it all up, and cook until beef is browned.
Transfer beef and bacon mixture into a Crock Pot.
In the same pan where you cooked beef, add onions, peppers, and jalapeno. Saute veggies until softened and add smashed and minced garlic. Saute until garlic is fragrant and transfer veggie mixture onto the Crock Pot as well.
Add tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, broth, and seasoning to the Crock Pot. Stir everything well, cover, and cook on HIGH for 4 hours or on LOW for 6 hours. (Open and stir about once an hour.)
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST CHILI
There are a few things you can add to make your chili taste great.
First of all, the chili seasoning. Chili seasoning is basically the spices and herbs that go into chili. Be generous with chili powder and make sure to add cumin, oregano, and paprika. I recommend smoked paprika for a smokey taste in chili.
To help regulate spice level in chili, you can add jalapenos or other spicy chili peppers. Adding spicier chili peppers can increase the spice level dramatically and if you add seeds from those peppers, that will bring up the heat even more.
I prefer to make chili ahead of time and eat it the next day. It really does taste best when it gets a chance to sit in the fridge overnight.
FREEZING INSTRUCTIONS
You will be happy to know that you can easily freeze chili.
After chili is cooked, you will want to cool it as quickly as possible if you plan to freeze it. This will give bacteria less chance to build and extend the shelf life of food.
The best way to cool chili quickly is to place the pot of chili into a larger container filled with ice and make sure to stir it from time to time as it cools.
Once it cools, portion it into smaller freezer bags, let all the air out, and close it well. Remember to label and date.
Lay the bags flat on the cutting board and freeze.
Chili can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Make sure to slow-thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
HOW TO CREATE A CHILI BAR
If you’re making chili for a game day, creating a chili bar is an awesome idea. Chili bar is basically a spread of awesome chili and an array of toppings that people can use for their chili.
Make sure to keep chili warm, so keeping it in a Crock Pot is a good idea even if you didn’t cook it in it.
Set out plenty of bowls and extra spoons so each topping option can have its own spoon.
There are many topping options like:
-cheese
-sour cream
-diced jalapeno peppers, onion, avocado, cilantro, lime wedges, green onions
-crackers, tortilla strips, pretzels
-dried chick peas
A FEW MORE CHILI RECIPES
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The Best Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 oz raw bacon
- 2 lbs ground beef 85%-15% lean to fat ratio
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 red bell pepper
- 2 jalapeno peppers
- 4 large garlic cloves
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 4 oz tomato paste
- 16 oz can pinto beans (or kidney beans)
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 1/2 tsp cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp ancho chili powder
- salt
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients ahead of time by dicing bacon, onion, and peppers.
- Preheat a 2.5-3 quart pot over medium heat and add a little bit of oil.
- Add diced bacon and cook until browned and fat is rendered.
- Add ground beef, season with some salt, and cook, breaking up all the clumps of meat, until it's browned. Take meats out of the pot and set aside.
- Add diced onion and bell peppers to the pot and saute until softened. Add diced jalapeno.
- Smash and mince garlic and add it to the pot. Saute until garlic is fragrant.
- Add meats back to the pot, stir, and add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beans, and beef broth. Stir well.
- Add all the seasoning, stir, set heat to low. Cover with a lid and cook for about 1.5-2 hours, stirring once in a while. Take the lid off half way through and cook the rest of the time uncovered.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Kseniya says
Turned out wonderful! I don’t know how you are doing it, posting all these great recipes this often. Your website has become my go to for dinners! Bless you and your family.
LyubaB says
Awe Thank you so much what a compliment! I love making new recipes, I am so glad you like them! 🙂
Annalisa says
I’ve been making the same super basic chili for years but wanted to mix things up. I found your recipe and it was amazing!! So flavorful! My husband isn’t a big spice fan and i LOVE spicy and somehow we both thought it was amazing. Thanks for the recipe!
Ps i made in a crockpot and it worked out wel!
LyubaB says
Annalisa, that makes me so happy! Thank you!
I love this recipe in the crockpot! 🙂
Rachel says
Is there any extra additional liquid that needs added??
LyubaB says
Hi, Rachel! No additional liquid is needed! 🙂
Sue says
Do I drain the fava from the beans first or is the liquid needed?
LyubaB says
Hi, Sue! I do drain the liquid from the beans 🙂
Samantha says
Could I add both kidney beans and pinto beans or would that be too much?
LyubaB says
Hi, Samantha! You could definitely add both kinds of beans you may have to add a little more stock and tomato paste.
Amber says
Do I drain the meat and bacon grease
LyubaB says
Hi, Amber! I do drain the meat and bacon grease! 🙂
Emily Losee says
The was indeed the best Chili I’ve ever made!! Will be making this again!!
LyubaB says
Thank you, Emily! That’s so nice to hear! 🙂
Pat says
Delicious!!! I love chili and this is without a doubt the best recipe ever! My hubby loved it too! It is going on the top of my list for chili recipes, actually I can just forget all the others! LOL! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I went exactly by the recipe…it needs nothing else. Yummy!
LyubaB says
Wow! Thank you so much! That’s very kind! I am so glad you liked it so much!
Staci says
What’s the best way to reheat if I am bringing this into a potluck the next day and do not have a Crock-Pot?
LyubaB says
Hi, Staci! You can reheat it in a big pot on the stove or put individual bowls in the microwave 🙂
Raquel says
Great recipe it was delicious a little time consuming but worth the wait
LyubaB says
Thank you! Glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Missie says
I am out of all bell peppers can I just omit it? Or what should I substitute?
LyubaB says
Hi Missie,
You can always omit them or you can add other veggies instead. If you want, you can look over my vegetarian chili to get some ideas on what veggies will taste good in it. Here is the link to that recipe. https://www.willcookforsmiles.com/vegetarian-chili/
I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Zaheda says
This is by far the best recipe I have ever tasted, just the right balance of flavours and so easy to make ,thank you.
The 2 nd time I made this I added a tbsp of BBque sauce to give it that Smokey BBque flavours
Heather says
I’ve been making chili for yearsssss and this was by far the best! I added a little brown sugar and cocoa. don’t even know if that made a difference so still, thank you!!
LyubaB says
Your so welcome, Heather! I really am so glad you like it!
Rarredondo72 says
Great chili recipe very delicious
LyubaB says
Thank you! I am glad you liked it!
Jackie says
I make your recipe with ground turkey, and the bacon makes all the difference- the meat isn’t dry and bland! I use about a pounding turkey, then add more beans (black and kidney). This is now my favorite go-to chili!
LyubaB says
Yum! I am glad you liked it, Jackie!