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Smoky Bacon Chili
4.5 from 45 votes

Smoky Bacon Chili

This is the ultimate chili recipe, it is made with sausage, beef, AND bacon!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
45 mins
Total Time
1 hr
Course: Main Course, Soup, Snacks
Cuisine: American, gluten-free

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage ground
  • 1 yellow onion diced, medium
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tomato paste 2 tablespoons, Hunt's Recipe Ready, packet
  • 1 tomato sauce Hunt's, 8 oz can
  • 3 diced tomatoes Hunt's, 15 oz cans
  • 3 small red beans or kidney beans, 15 oz cans, rinsed and drained
  • 8 Bacon chopped, cooked, strips
  • 1/3 cup jalapeño drained (from a jar, sliced, tamed
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon  cumin ground
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • salt to taste
  • black pepper to taste
  • cheese sour cream, green onion, jalapeno slices, optional, shredded, for toppings

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the beef and sausage and cook until browned, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove the meat from the pan and place on a plate that has been lined with paper towels. Set aside.
  2. Add the onion, red pepper, and garlic to the pan and cook until softened, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beans, bacon, and jalapeno slices. Stir until combined and add the cooked sausage and beef.
  3. Season with chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, maple syrup, and salt and pepper, to taste. Stir and let the chili simmer on low for 30 minutes or until chili has thickened.
  4. Serve the chili warm with desired toppings.