Ultimate Hearty Chili Connoisseur's Delight
Dive into a bowl of this Ultimate Hearty Chili Connoisseur's Delight, where layers of deep, robust flavors meet with tongue-tingling spices. Imagine savoring the meaty goodness amplified by crispy bacon and a medley of sweet bell peppers, enriched by the comfort of a slow-simmered sauce. Infused with a brew of beer, this chili is a heartwarming meal that brings friends and family together. Its essence lies in the careful melding of ingredients, creating a rich, hearty dish that promises to impress even the most critical of chili enthusiasts. Ideal for cozy gatherings or solo indulgence, it's a chili experience you won't forget.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
25
Ingredients
Ingredients
ground chuck
2 1/4 lbs (none)
bacon
5 slices (cooked and crumbled)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (none)
green bell pepper
1 (small dice)
yellow bell pepper
1 (small dice)
red bell pepper
1 (small dice)
yellow onion
1 medium (small dice)
garlic cloves
5 (crushed)
chili powder
3 tablespoons (none)
dried chipotle powder
1 1/4 teaspoons (none)
ground cumin
2 tablespoons (none)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
bay leaf
1 (none)
Amber Bock beer
2 (28 ounce) bottles (none)
stewed tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (chopped)
tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can (none)
dark brown sugar
2 teaspoons (none)
lime
1 (juice of)
red kidney beans
1 (16 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
pinto beans
1 (16 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
fresh cilantro
1 cup (chopped)
salt and pepper
to taste (none)
cheddar cheese
1 cup (shredded, for garnish)
green onion
1 cup (chopped, for garnish)
fresh cilantro
1/2 cup (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
1
1. In a large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the ground chuck until fully cooked, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat and set aside.
2
2. Using the same pan, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove bacon, crumble it, and reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pan.
3
3. Add olive oil to the pan if necessary, then sauté the diced onions, green, yellow, and red bell peppers, along with the crushed garlic cloves, until they become soft and fragrant, approximately 10 minutes.
4
4. Transfer the sautéed vegetables to a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, crumbled bacon, chili powder, chipotle powder, cumin, and cinnamon. Stir well, cooking for about 3 minutes to combine the flavors.
5
5. Incorporate the bay leaf, stewed tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, beer, lime juice, and dark brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally, until the initial foam subsides.
6
6. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot, and let it cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and incorporating flavors.
7
7. Rinse and drain the kidney and pinto beans. Add them to the pot along with 1 cup of chopped cilantro. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 45 minutes to an hour, or until the chili reaches your desired consistency.
8
8. If the chili needs further thickening, mix cornstarch with water and gradually add to the chili, raising the heat and stirring constantly until thickened to your liking.
9
9. Remove and discard the bay leaf before serving.
10
10. Serve hot, garnished with cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and additional fresh cilantro.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main meat used in this chili recipe?
The main meat used in this recipe is 2 1/4 lbs of ground chuck.
Does this chili include bacon?
Yes, it includes 5 slices of bacon that are cooked until crispy and crumbled.
How many different types of bell peppers are required?
The recipe calls for three types: one green, one yellow, and one red bell pepper.
What type of beer is used for the base of the chili?
The recipe specifies two 28-ounce bottles of Amber Bock beer.
Are there beans in this chili recipe?
Yes, it contains one 16-ounce can of red kidney beans and one 16-ounce can of pinto beans.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
Is there a secret spice used for depth of flavor?
Yes, the recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to add a layer of deep flavor.
How long should the chili simmer before adding the beans?
The chili should simmer covered for 1 hour before you add the beans.
What is the total simmering time after adding the beans?
After adding the beans, the chili should simmer for an additional 45 minutes to 1 hour.
What type of onion is recommended for this dish?
One medium yellow onion, finely diced, is recommended.
How much chili powder is needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 3 tablespoons of chili powder.
Is there any sweetener used in the sauce?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of dark brown sugar are used to balance the flavors.
Should the bay leaf be eaten?
No, the bay leaf should be removed and discarded before serving.
How much garlic is included?
The recipe uses 5 crushed garlic cloves.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
The recipe calls for one 28-ounce can of stewed tomatoes and one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
Can I thicken the chili if it is too thin?
Yes, you can mix cornstarch with water and gradually add it while stirring over heat until the desired consistency is reached.
What are the suggested garnishes?
Recommended garnishes include shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro.
Does the recipe use fresh lime?
Yes, the juice of one lime is incorporated into the chili mixture.
How much cumin is added to the spice blend?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of ground cumin.
What should I do with the bacon grease?
You should reserve 1 tablespoon of the bacon grease in the pan to sauté the vegetables.
Is cilantro added during the cooking process?
Yes, 1 cup of chopped fresh cilantro is stirred in along with the beans.
How much chipotle powder is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/4 teaspoons of dried chipotle powder for a smoky heat.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
Olive oil is used if additional fat is needed beyond the reserved bacon grease.
How are the bell peppers prepared?
The bell peppers should be prepared with a small dice.
Should the beans be drained before adding them to the pot?
Yes, both the kidney beans and pinto beans should be rinsed and drained.
What is the first step of the cooking process?
The first step is browning the ground chuck in a large sauté pan.
Is the bacon added back into the pot?
Yes, the crumbled bacon is added to the pot with the vegetables and beef before simmering.
How much tomato paste is required?
The recipe calls for one 6-ounce can of tomato paste.
What is the heat level for sautéing the vegetables?
The vegetables should be sautéed over medium heat until soft and fragrant.
Does the recipe specify salt and pepper amounts?
The recipe advises seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.