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The Best Chili Recipe (Award Winning!)

This is the BEST Chili Recipe! Made with bacon (and the option to omit if necessary) and ground beef and  simmered on the stove for just 30 minutes, this is my family's go-to cold weather comfort food. It's even better when paired with a side of buttermilk cornbread!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings (this recipe makes 10 cups total, so one serving is approx 1 ⅔ cup)
Calories: 611 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 5 5 strips uncooked bacon chopped¹
  • 1 1 large yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
  • 1 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 3 3 cloves garlic minced (about 1 Tablespoon)
  • 1 1 lb ground beef (455g) (I use 90% but any will work)
  • 1 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 1 Tablespoon chili powder²
  • 1 1 Tablespoon ancho chili powder²
  • 1 ½ 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ ¾ teaspoons ground black pepper
  • ½ ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper³
  • 1 ¼ 1 ¼ cup beef broth (295ml)
  • 15 15 oz can dark red kidney beans lightly rinsed and drained (425g)
  • 15 15 oz can black beans lightly rinsed and drained (425)
  • 14.5 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes undrained (411g)
  • 7- 7- oz can fire roasted green chilis (198g)
  • ¼ ¼ cup tomato paste (66g)
  • 1 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • Preferred toppings particularly sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  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!)

Notes

  • ¹For best flavor, DO NOT OMIT THE BACON. However, as someone who spent 23 years not eating bacon I wanted to include tips for those of you who might have the same restrictions. if you wish to make this recipe without bacon you *can* do so by skipping the first step, heating 1 ½ Tablespoons of oil over medium heat, and then beginning from step 2. On the other hand, if you want additional bacon for garnishing, cook it now and reserve.
  • ²You can substitute one chili powder for the other and use just traditional chili powder or just ancho chili powder, but I personally like the blend of the two.
  • ³This gives the chili a mild spice, if you like more heat increase to ¼ teaspoon for a moderate spice. Add additional cayenne pepper at your own risk!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving (not including toppings) Calories 611kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 72g (24%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Monounsaturated Fat 1g Cholesterol 55mg (18%) Sodium 1315mg (55%) Potassium 758mg (22%) Fiber 11g (44%) Sugar 14g (28%) Vitamin A 30IU (1%) Vitamin C 72mg (80%) Calcium 9mg (1%) Iron 20mg (111%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings (this recipe makes 10 cups total, so one serving is approx 1 ⅔ cup)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 611

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving (not including toppings)
Calories 611kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 72g 24%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Sodium 1315mg 55%
Potassium 758mg 16%
Fiber 11g 44%
Sugar 14g 28%
Vitamin A 30IU 1%
Vitamin C 72mg 80%
Calcium 9mg 1%
Iron 20mg 111%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.