Smokey Hearth Chili
Warm up this winter with Smoked Hearth Chili, a hearty dish that's sure to become a favorite. This unique chili recipe infuses rich flavors from fire-roasted tomatoes, earthy cremini mushrooms, and smoky applewood bacon, creating a depth of flavor that warms the soul. By roasting the vegetables and combining them with lean ground beef and a hint of dark beer, you'll elevate your traditional chili to a cozy, robust meal perfect for sharing. Ideal for a gathering or a family dinner, follow this recipe to impress your loved ones with a bowl of comfort that offers a delightful balance of spice and smokiness. Cooking time may take a bit longer, but the end result is well worth the wait!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
lean ground beef
2 lbs (browned)
yellow onion
1 large (diced)
minced garlic cloves
4 (minced)
chili powder
2 tablespoons (measured)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
ground cumin
2 teaspoons (measured)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (measured)
smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
fire roasted diced tomatoes
3 (400 ml) cans (opened)
tomato paste
1 (5 1/2 ounce) can (opened)
fresh jalapeños
2 (cut in half, seeds discarded)
dark beer or honey brown lager
1 (341 ml) bottle (measured)
cremini mushroom
1 lb (washed and cut in half)
olive oil
1/2 tablespoon (for roasting)
applewood smoked bacon
1 lb (cooked and chopped)
shredded cheese
1 cup (for topping)
plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup (for topping)
fresh cilantro
to taste (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (or 375°F for convection). If you have a charcoal grill and want to add more smoky flavor, prep it for roasting.
2
Prepare the mushrooms by washing them and cutting them into bite-sized pieces, then drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet.
3
Prepare the jalapeños by cutting them in half and discarding the seeds. Place them on another baking sheet or a small cast iron dish, and put both the mushrooms and jalapeños in the preheated oven to roast for about 30 minutes.
4
In a separate baking dish, arrange the bacon slices in a single layer. Bake in the oven alongside the other ingredients until crisp, about 20-25 minutes. Once done, remove and chop into pieces.
5
While the bacon and vegetables are roasting, dice the onion to your preferred size and mince the garlic. Portion out the spices: chili powder, salt, ground cumin, dried oregano, and smoked paprika.
6
In a large pot, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Leave a touch of pink as it will simmer later. If necessary, drain excess fat but keep just enough for flavor.
7
Once the beef is browned, remove it from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, drain about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat, heating it over medium-high heat.
8
Add the diced onions and sauté them with the spices for about 5 minutes until translucent. If the mixture feels too dry, add a splash of the beer to deglaze.
9
Stir in the minced garlic and return the beef to the pot. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until well mixed.
10
Add the roasted mushrooms, jalapeños, chopped bacon, canned diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and the rest of the dark beer. Stir everything to combine well.
11
Allow the chili to simmer for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste along the way and adjust seasoning with more spices, if desired.
12
To serve, ladle the chili into bowls and top with shredded cheese, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, and fresh cilantro. Enjoy the warming flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Smokey Hearth Chili?
Smokey Hearth Chili is a robust, hearty winter dish featuring fire-roasted tomatoes, cremini mushrooms, and smoky applewood bacon.
What makes this chili unique in flavor?
This recipe creates a deep flavor profile by combining roasted vegetables, lean ground beef, and a hint of dark beer with smoky spices.
What oven temperature is needed for roasting?
Preheat your oven to 400°F, or 375°F if you are using a convection oven.
How should the mushrooms be prepared for roasting?
Wash the cremini mushrooms, cut them into bite-sized pieces, and drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
How long do the mushrooms and jalapeños need to roast?
They should be roasted in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes.
How do I prepare the jalapeños?
Cut the jalapeños in half and discard the seeds before placing them on a baking sheet to roast.
What is the best way to cook the bacon for this recipe?
Arrange applewood smoked bacon slices in a single layer and bake for 20-25 minutes until crisp, then chop into pieces.
Can I use a charcoal grill for this recipe?
Yes, you can use a charcoal grill to roast the vegetables if you want to add an even smokier flavor.
How much ground beef is required?
The recipe requires 2 lbs of lean ground beef.
What spices are used in the chili?
The seasoning includes chili powder, salt, ground cumin, dried oregano, and smoked paprika.
Should the ground beef be fully cooked immediately?
No, brown the beef but leave a touch of pink as it will continue to cook while the chili simmers later.
How much bacon fat should be kept for sautéing?
Keep about 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat in the pot to sauté the onions.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
Sauté the diced onions with the spices for about 5 minutes until they are translucent.
What should I do if the onion and spice mixture is too dry?
Add a splash of the dark beer to the pot to deglaze the mixture if it feels too dry.
When should the garlic be added?
Stir in the minced garlic after the onions are translucent and cook for another 2-3 minutes.
What type of beer is recommended for this chili?
The recipe calls for one 341 ml bottle of dark beer or a honey brown lager.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
Use three 400 ml cans of fire-roasted diced tomatoes.
How much tomato paste is needed?
The recipe uses one 5 1/2 ounce can of tomato paste.
How long does the chili need to simmer?
The chili should simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What are the suggested toppings?
Serve the chili with shredded cheese, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, and fresh cilantro.
Can I substitute the Greek yogurt?
While the recipe calls for plain Greek yogurt, it serves a similar purpose to sour cream as a cooling topping.
How many garlic cloves are in the recipe?
The recipe uses 4 minced garlic cloves.
What type of mushrooms are used?
One pound of cremini mushrooms is used for this recipe.
Is this chili spicy?
It offers a balance of spice and smokiness from the jalapeños, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
How much olive oil is used for roasting?
Use 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil for roasting the mushrooms.
Can I adjust the seasoning during cooking?
Yes, you should taste the chili as it simmers and adjust with more spices if desired.
How much cheese is recommended for the topping?
The recipe suggests 1 cup of shredded cheese.
What is the preparation for the cilantro?
The cilantro should be fresh and added to taste as a garnish.
How many jalapeños are needed?
You will need 2 fresh jalapeños for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for a large group?
Yes, it is described as an ideal meal for a gathering or family dinner.