Ultimate Tailgate Chili Delight
Get ready to spice up your tailgate party with this Ultimate Tailgate Chili Delight! Bursting with flavor, this hearty chili combines ground chuck and savory Italian sausage with a medley of beans, colorful bell peppers, and zesty spices, making it perfect for any football gathering or family gathering. Simmered to perfection, this chili is sure to warm your heart and satisfy every appetite. Top it off with crunchy corn chips and melted cheddar cheese for a winning touch. Whether you're cheering from the stands or from your living room, this dish is sure to be a crowd favorite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
28
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground Chuck
2 lbs (Crumble)
Bulk Italian Sausage
1 lb (Crumble)
Chili Beans
3 (15 ounce) cans (Drain)
Chili Beans in Spicy Sauce
1 (15 ounce) can (No preparation needed)
Diced Tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (With juice)
Tomato Paste
1 (6 ounce) can (No preparation needed)
Yellow Onion
1 large (Chopped)
Celery
3 stalks (Chopped)
Green Bell Pepper
1 (Seeded and chopped)
Red Bell Pepper
1 (Seeded and chopped)
Green Chili Peppers
2 (Seeded and chopped)
Bacon Bits
1 tablespoon (No preparation needed)
Beef Bouillon Cubes
4 (No preparation needed)
Beer
1/2 cup (No preparation needed)
Chili Powder
1/4 cup (No preparation needed)
Worcestershire Sauce
1 tablespoon (No preparation needed)
Minced Garlic
1 tablespoon (No preparation needed)
Dried Oregano
1 tablespoon (No preparation needed)
Ground Cumin
2 teaspoons (No preparation needed)
Hot Pepper Sauce
2 teaspoons (No preparation needed)
Dried Basil
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Salt
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Ground Black Pepper
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Cayenne Pepper
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Paprika
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
White Sugar
1 teaspoon (No preparation needed)
Corn Chips (Fritos)
1 (10 1/2 ounce) bag (No preparation needed)
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 (8 ounce) package (No preparation needed)
Instructions
1
In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, add crumbled ground chuck and Italian sausage. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat from the pot.
2
To the pot, stir in the drained chili beans, spicy chili beans, diced tomatoes (with their juice), and tomato paste. Add the chopped onion, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, green chili peppers, and bacon bits.
3
Dissolve the bouillon cubes in the beer, and then pour this mixture into the pot. Next, add chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, dried oregano, ground cumin, hot pepper sauce, dried basil, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika, and sugar.
4
Stir all ingredients well to combine, then cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Allow the chili to simmer for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Remember, the longer the chili simmers, the richer the flavors will become.
5
After 2 hours, taste the chili and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed. If you choose, you can refrigerate the chili overnight for even better flavor.
6
When ready to serve, ladle the chili into bowls and generously top each serving with corn chips and shredded Cheddar cheese.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main meats used in the Ultimate Tailgate Chili Delight?
The recipe uses two pounds of ground chuck and one pound of bulk Italian sausage for a rich, savory protein base.
How long should I simmer the chili for the best flavor?
The chili should simmer on low heat for at least 2 hours. Simmering longer allows the flavors to become richer and more developed.
What toppings are recommended for this chili?
It is best served topped with a generous portion of corn chips, such as Fritos, and shredded Cheddar cheese.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can refrigerate the chili overnight before serving, which often improves the overall flavor profile.
What type of beans are included in this recipe?
The recipe calls for three cans of regular chili beans and one can of chili beans in a spicy sauce.
Do I need to drain the tomatoes before adding them?
No, you should add the diced tomatoes along with their juice to the stock pot.
How is the beef bouillon integrated into the dish?
The four beef bouillon cubes should be dissolved in 1/2 cup of beer before being poured into the chili mixture.
What vegetables are included in the chili?
The recipe includes chopped yellow onion, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and green chili peppers.
Is there any sugar in this chili recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes one teaspoon of white sugar to help balance the acidity of the tomatoes and spices.
What spices provide the heat in this dish?
The heat comes from a combination of chili powder, hot pepper sauce, cayenne pepper, and spicy chili beans.
Should I drain the fat from the meat?
Yes, after browning the ground chuck and Italian sausage, you should drain any excess fat from the pot.
What kind of pot should I use for this recipe?
A large stock pot is recommended to accommodate the large volume of meat, beans, and vegetables.
Are there any secret ingredients for extra savoriness?
Bacon bits and Worcestershire sauce are included to add layers of savory, umami flavor.
Can I adjust the seasoning later in the cooking process?
Yes, after simmering for 2 hours, you should taste the chili and adjust the salt, pepper, or chili powder to your preference.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe requires one tablespoon of minced garlic.
What is the role of tomato paste in this chili?
Tomato paste is used to thicken the chili and provide a more concentrated tomato flavor.
Which dried herbs are used in the seasoning?
The recipe uses dried oregano and dried basil to provide earthy and aromatic notes.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Absolutely, it is designed as a crowd favorite for tailgates, football parties, and family gatherings.
Do I need to seed the peppers?
Yes, the green bell pepper, red bell pepper, and green chili peppers should be seeded and chopped.
Can I use any beer for this recipe?
The recipe simply specifies 1/2 cup of beer; generally, a lager or ale works best for cooking chili.
How much chili powder is required?
The recipe calls for a generous 1/4 cup of chili powder.
What is the preparation for the Italian sausage?
The bulk Italian sausage should be crumbled and cooked until browned along with the ground chuck.
Is ground cumin included in the spice mix?
Yes, two teaspoons of ground cumin are added for a traditional chili aroma.
How many cans of diced tomatoes are needed?
The recipe requires two 28-ounce cans of diced tomatoes.
Is paprika used in this recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of paprika is included in the seasoning list.
How many celery stalks are used?
The recipe uses three chopped stalks of celery.
What should the heat setting be for browning the meat?
The meat should be cooked in a stock pot over medium-high heat.
What is the final step before serving?
Ladle the hot chili into bowls and top them with corn chips and shredded Cheddar cheese.
Are the beans drained or added with liquid?
The three cans of regular chili beans should be drained, while the spicy sauce beans are typically added with their sauce.
What makes this chili 'Ultimate' for a tailgate?
Its combination of two types of meat, various peppers, beer-infused bouillon, and a long simmer time makes it exceptionally hearty and flavorful for game day.