Storage Options
This chili stores beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in airtight containers. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. The flavors actually improve after a day or two, making it perfect for meal prep. When reheating, add a splash of beef broth if needed to restore the ideal consistency.
Summary
Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish featuring perfectly seasoned ground beef, a trio of beans, fresh vegetables, and a rich tomato base. This recipe serves 8-10 people and takes approximately 2 hours from start to finish, with most of that time spent simmering to develop deep, complex flavors. The result is a thick, satisfying chili with just the right amount of heat and incredible depth of flavor.
Equipment
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (6-8 quart capacity)
- Sharp chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Can opener
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Ladle for serving
Ingredients
Meat:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
Vegetables:
- 2 large yellow onions, diced
- 1 large bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely diced
Beans:
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Tomatoes:
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
- 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
Liquids:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 bottle (12 oz) dark beer (optional, can substitute with more broth)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 square dark chocolate (optional, for depth)
Instructions
- Prepare the vegetables: Dice onions and bell pepper into uniform pieces. Mince garlic and finely dice jalapeños, removing seeds for less heat.
- Brown the meat: In your large pot over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pot.
- Sauté vegetables: Add diced onions and bell pepper to the pot with the meat. Cook for 5-6 minutes until onions are translucent. Add minced garlic and jalapeños, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
- Add tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly and deepen in color.
- Add spices: Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their oils.
- Add tomatoes and liquids: Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, diced green chiles, beef broth, and beer (if using). Add Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.
- Add beans: Gently fold in all three types of beans, being careful not to break them up.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer partially covered for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. The chili should thicken and the flavors should meld together beautifully.
- Final touches: In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the square of dark chocolate (if using) and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Rest and serve: Let the chili rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.
Notes
- The 80/20 ground beef blend provides the perfect fat content for flavor without being greasy
- Don’t skip the browning step for the meat – this creates crucial flavor foundation
- Toasting the spices is essential for developing deep, complex flavors
- The dark chocolate adds subtle richness without sweetness
- This recipe intentionally makes a large batch because it’s perfect for leftovers and freezing
Tips for Success
Meat preparation: Take time to properly brown the meat in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the pot will steam the meat instead of browning it, resulting in less flavor development.
Spice blooming: Always toast your ground spices in the pot for at least a minute. This technique, called blooming, intensifies their flavors significantly.
Simmering patience: Low and slow is the key to Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe. Resist the urge to rush the simmering process, as this is when the magic happens.
Taste and adjust: Season gradually and taste frequently during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Every palate is different, so adjust the heat and salt to your preference.
Resting time: Always let your finished chili rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and the consistency to perfect itself.
Additional Tips and Variations
Heat level adjustments: For milder chili, reduce or eliminate the cayenne pepper and use mild chili powder. For more heat, add additional jalapeños or a pinch of chipotle powder.
Bean alternatives: Feel free to substitute different bean varieties like navy beans, great northern beans, or cannellini beans based on your preferences.
Meat variations: Try using ground turkey, a mix of ground beef and ground pork, or even add some diced bacon for extra smokiness.
Vegetarian version: Omit the meat and double the beans, adding mushrooms or plant-based ground meat alternatives. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Slow cooker adaptation: Brown the meat and vegetables as directed, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Instant Pot version: Use the sauté function for browning, then pressure cook on high for 20 minutes with natural release.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I make Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe ahead of time? A: Absolutely! This chili actually tastes better the next day. Make it up to 3 days in advance and reheat gently on the stovetop.
Q: Why does my chili seem too thin? A: Continue simmering uncovered to reduce the liquid, or mix 2 tablespoons of cornmeal with a little water to create a slurry and stir it in during the last 15 minutes.
Q: Can I freeze this chili? A: Yes! Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently.
Q: What’s the best way to serve this chili? A: Serve with cornbread, over baked potatoes, with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or over rice for a heartier meal.
Q: How do I reduce the sodium content? A: Use low-sodium broth and rinse the beans thoroughly. You can also reduce the added salt and rely more on other seasonings for flavor.
Q: Can I double this recipe? A: Yes, but you’ll need a very large pot. All the cooking times remain the same, just make sure you have adequate space for proper simmering.
Conclusion
Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe represents more than just a delicious meal; it’s a testament to the power of home cooking and the love that goes into creating something truly special. This recipe has earned its place in family traditions not through fancy techniques or exotic ingredients, but through the careful balance of simple, quality components and the patience to let them work their magic together.
The beauty of Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe lies in its versatility and reliability. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or preparing a week’s worth of lunches, this recipe delivers consistent, crowd-pleasing results every single time. The depth of flavor that develops through proper browning, spice toasting, and slow simmering creates a chili that satisfies on multiple levels – it’s hearty enough to serve as a complete meal, flavorful enough to impress guests, and comforting enough to become your go-to recipe for cold days and cozy evenings.
As you make this recipe your own, remember that the best dishes are those shared with people you care about. Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe has the remarkable ability to bring people together, creating memories around the dinner table that last long after the last bowl is finished. Each time you prepare this chili, you’re not just cooking a meal – you’re continuing a tradition of comfort, love, and the simple pleasure of a perfectly crafted bowl of chili.