The best chili recipe you will ever eat is right here! Made with a secret ingredient you may not expect, this classic chili is the recipe you will reach for time and time again. A mix of ground beef, homemade seasonings, tomatoes, beans, onions and peppers make this a staple dinner every one will love
Secret ingredients for the BEST Chili
SUGAR! In this case it is the addition of maple syrup. The sweet added to all the spice brings out the savory flavor much deeper and richer. If you don’t have maple syrup you can also use dark brown sugar or regular sugar.
Another ingredient that just may surprise you is in the seasoning… Cocoa! It’s incredible the depth of flavor the cocoa brings out in the tart tomato base. Surprising and Savory!
Kitchen tools for cooking
Homemade chili seasoning
TRUST me, making the chili seasoning homemade changes the flavor game. You can store this in a small mason jar once mixed all together and it will keep in the cabinet just like regular spices.
- 4 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika (regular or smoked)
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon steak/burger seasoning
I always add salt and pepper to taste separately while sautéing the meat.
Chili toppings
Chili is made for toppings. Here are a few we love to add!
- Shredded sharp chedder cheese
- Chips or fritos
- Chopped green onions
- Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour cream
- Hot sauce
- Crumbled Cornbread (or sliced on the side)
Storing/Freezing
Store cooked chili in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Reheating is simple for leftovers. Either reheat in a microwave safe bowl covered for 2-3 minutes. Or you can place in a stove pot and reheat until boiling.
Chili freezes well if you want to make for future meals. Let cool completely after cooking. Place in a freezer safe airtight bowl or freezer bag. Ensure that all air is pressed out of freezer bag prior to storing.
Recipe
The Best Chili
Ingredients
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 medium green pepper chopped
- 1 can (15.5 oz) dark red kidney beans rinsed & drained
- 1 can (15.5 oz) light red kidney beans rinsed & drained
- 1 can (15.5 oz) pinto beans rinsed & drained
- 1 can (15.5 oz) black beans rinsed & drained
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 5 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth (more or less depending on desired texture)
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 2-3 Tbsp Chili Seasoning (see recipe in Table of Contents)
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Instructions
- Plug in crock pot and set on high. Place all beans (see above for draining), tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato paste into crock pot.
- Sauté ground beef and turkey on medium high heat until fully cooked. Add half of the spices into meat while cooking.
- Place diced onion and peppers into meat mixture and cook until onions are translucent. Take off of heat and mix in minced garlic until fully incorporated.
- Add meat mixture to the hot crockpot of beans and stir until fully incorporated.
- Add the remaining spices and stir.
- Add maple syrup to crock pot and mix well.
- Cook on high for 2 hours. Then stir in broth.
- Set temperature to low and cook an additional 4 hours.
- Serve plain or over rice. Add those amazing toppings and ENJOY!
Nutrition
I always make a cast-iron pan of homemade jalapeño cheddar cornbread as well!
Now its time to cozy up and enjoy a bowl of the best chili!!
Blessings, Karla
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