Homemade Chili Recipe (2024)

As the fall season approaches, it’s the perfect time to gather around the table for cozy, comforting dinners. Whether you’re planning a weeknight meal or inviting friends over for a casual get-together, our Homemade Chili recipe is a versatile choice that suits any occasion. This recipe promises a rich, hearty chili that will warm your heart and satisfy your taste buds. With lean ground beef, aromatic spices, and a secret ingredient that elevates the flavor, you’ll want to make this chili again and again.

Picture a steaming bowl of chili, filled with tender, perfectly seasoned ground beef and vibrant vegetables. The aroma of chili powder, cumin, and garlic fills the air as you prepare to take your first bite. Each spoonful delivers a harmonious balance of flavors, with a hint of spiciness and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar. The secret ingredient, a pinch of cinnamon, adds a subtle, unforgettable twist to this classic recipe. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet fall evening or sharing a meal with loved ones, this chili will warm your soul and leave you craving more.

Ingredients:

To create this delightful chili, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• 2 pounds lean Ground Beef
• 1 Onion, diced
• The Level Up B Rub (use as desired)
• 1 Jalapeno
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 2 ½ tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 14 ½ ounces crushed Tomatoes
• 19 ounces Kidney Beans
• 14 ½ ounces diced Tomatoes with juice
• 1 ½ cup Beef Broth or Beer
• 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (optional)
• Cinnamon, a pinch
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Step-by-Step Guide:

Now, let’s explore the process of creating this delectable Homemade Chili:

Browning the Ground Beef:

• Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat.
• Add 2 lbs. of lean ground beef to the pot.
• Use a meat masher to break down the ground beef into smaller pieces.
• Cook until the beef is browned but not fully cooked through. You should still see some redness.
• Season the beef with “The Level Up B Rub” and about half of the chili powder. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

Preparing the Vegetables:

• Dice 1 onion.
• Cut 1 green bell pepper into small pieces.
• Slice 1 jalapeno into thin rings, and you can include the seeds if you like it spicier.
• Mince 4 cloves of garlic.

Adding the Vegetables:

• Add the diced onion to the pot with the browned beef.
• Stir and cook until the onions become translucent.
• Add the green bell pepper and jalapeno.
• Continue to cook and stir to soften the vegetables.
• Add the minced garlic and mix well.

Seasoning the Chili:

• Sprinkle the remaining chili powder over the meat and vegetables.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with their juice to the pot.
• Stir everything together to combine.

Adding Kidney Beans and Liquid:

• Add the drained kidney beans to the pot.
• Pour in 1 ½ cups of beef broth (or beer, if you prefer).
• Stir to incorporate all the ingredients.

Sweetening the Chili (Optional):

• If you like a touch of sweetness, add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
• Mix it into the chili.

The Secret Ingredient:

• Add a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the flavor. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to your preference.

Simmering the Chili:

• Bring the chili to a simmer.
• Allow it to cook for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally. This will help the flavors meld and the ingredients to cook through.
• Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional spices if necessary.

Serving the Chili:

• Once your chili is done, serve it in bowls.
• You can top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, green onions, or other garnishes of your choice.
• Enjoy!

Expert Tips and Tricks:

• Use a meat masher to break down the ground beef, ensuring even cooking.
• Save some jalapeno seeds if you like it spicier.
• Don’t skip the pinch of cinnamon; it’s the secret to exceptional flavor.
• Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less brown sugar to suit your taste.

Variations:

• Make a vegetarian version by replacing the ground beef with plant-based crumbles.
• Add diced vegetables like carrots, celery, or zucchini for extra texture and nutrients.
• Experiment with different types of beans, such as black beans or pinto beans.

What to Serve It With:

• Homemade cornbread or cornbread muffins are perfect for dipping.
• Top your chili with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, and fresh cilantro for a burst of flavors.
• Serve it alongside a simple salad or coleslaw for a well-rounded meal.

Storage Tips:

• Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• You can also freeze chili for longer storage. Thaw and reheat when you’re ready to enjoy it.

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Homemade Chili

Ingredients

Servings

• 2 pounds lean Ground Beef
• 1 Onion, diced
• The Level Up B Rub (use as desired)
• 1 Jalapeno
• 4 cloves Garlic
• 2 ½ tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 14 ½ ounces crushed Tomatoes
• 19 ounces Kidney Beans
• 14 ½ ounces diced Tomatoes with juice
• 1 ½ cup Beef Broth or Beer
• 1 tablespoon Tomato Paste
• 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar (optional)
• Cinnamon, a pinch
• Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

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1. Heat a large Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add 2 lbs. of lean ground beef to the pot. Use a meat masher to break down the ground beef into smaller pieces. Cook until the beef is browned but not fully cooked through. You should still see some redness. Season the beef with “The Level Up B Rub” and about half of the chili powder. Adjust the seasoning to your taste.

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2. Dice 1 onion. Cut 1 green bell pepper into small pieces.Slice 1 jalapeno into thin rings, and you can include the seeds if you like it spicier. Mince 4 cloves of garlic or use a garlic press (which is my favorite method).

3. Add the diced onion to the pot with the browned beef. Stir and cook until the onions become translucent. Add the green bell pepper and jalapeno. Continue to cook and stir to soften the vegetables. Add the minced garlic and mix well.

4. Sprinkle the remaining chili powder over the meat and vegetables. Add the crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes with their juice to the pot. Stir everything together to combine.

5. Add the drained kidney beans to the pot. Pour in 1 ½ cups of beef broth (or beer, if you prefer). Stir to incorporate all the ingredients.

6. If you like a touch of sweetness, add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Mix it into the chili.

7. Add a pinch of cinnamon to enhance the flavor. Start with a teaspoon and adjust to your preference.

8. Bring the chili to a simmer. Allow it to cook for approximately 2 hours, stirring occasionally. This will help the flavors meld and the ingredients to cook through. Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional spices if necessary.

9. Once your chili is done, serve it in bowls. You can top it with shredded cheese, sour cream, chives, green onions, or other garnishes of your choice.

10. Enjoy your homemade chili! It’s great for family gatherings, game days, or anytime you want a comforting and hearty meal.

Equipment

AB’s Signature Series Apron – Denim

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Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Round Dutch Oven, 4.3-Quart

Joseph Joseph Helix Garlic Press Mincer

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Smokin’ and Grillin’ with AB Signature Japanese Damascus Steel Kiritsuke 8″ Chef Knife

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