Spicy Michael Symon Chili Recipe

Chili Recipe by Michael Symon That Brings the Heat

Michael Symon’s chili bursts with flavor, transforming humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds.

Aromatic spices weave through each hearty spoonful, creating a symphony of robust flavors that dance on your palate.

This recipe elevates comfort food to an art form, blending bold seasonings with melt-in-your-mouth meat.

Professional and home cooks alike will appreciate the intricate balance of ingredients that make this chili stand out from the crowd.

Layers of complex tastes tell a story of culinary passion and traditional cooking techniques.

The dish promises warmth, satisfaction, and a delightful explosion of flavor that will have you craving more with every bite.

Get ready to experience a chili that redefines comfort food and leaves you completely satisfied.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Used in Michael Symon’s Chili Recipe

For Meat and Aromatics:
  • Ground Beef: Select lean beef for a healthier, less greasy chili with rich flavor.
  • Garlic: Choose fresh cloves for a more vibrant, robust taste.
  • Jalapeño, Onion: Pick firm, bright-colored peppers and onions for maximum crispness and zest.
For Spices and Seasonings:
  • Chile Powder, Paprika, Cumin: Opt for high-quality, fresh spices from reputable brands for intense, authentic southwestern warmth.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Select freshly ground varieties for a more nuanced, complex flavor profile.
For Liquid and Base Ingredients:
  • Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: Choose ripe, vine-ripened tomatoes or high-quality canned varieties for deep, sweet undertones.
  • Beef Broth: Select low-sodium broth to control salt levels and enhance natural meat flavors.
  • Kidney Beans, Black Beans: Pick firm, well-preserved beans for perfect texture and authentic chili consistency.

Tools Needed for Michael Symon’s Chili Recipe

  • Large Saucepan: Essential for cooking meats and simmering chili to perfection.
  • Wooden Spoon: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
  • Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables and herbs.
  • Sharp Knife: Needed for precise vegetable and herb preparation.
  • Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately add spices for balanced flavor.
  • Measuring Cups: Ensures precise liquid and ingredient measurements.
  • Colander or Strainer: Useful for draining excess fat from ground beef.
  • Paper Towels: Optional for additional fat draining if needed.
  • Serving Bowls: For presenting and serving the hot chili.
  • Ladle: Helps scoop and serve chili evenly.

Instructions to Make Michael Symon’s Chili Recipe

Instructions to Make Michael Symon’s Chili Recipe
  • Launch Flavor Explosion

Grab a skillet and unleash a spicy meat blend by mixing ground beef with zesty chile powder, ensuring every morsel is richly coated with seasonings.

  • Dance with Aromatics

Sizzle ground beef with minced garlic, fiery jalapeños, and sweet onions over medium heat, allowing the meat to brown beautifully while releasing tantalizing aromas.

  • Craft Chili Magic

Pour in vibrant tomatoes, hearty beans, and savory broth into your skillet, creating a flavor symphony that will simmer and develop depth for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and encourage rich melding of ingredients.

  • Celebrate with Toppings

Transform your chili into a masterpiece by crowning it with creamy shredded cheese, crisp green onions, fresh cilantro, dollops of tangy sour cream, and buttery avocado chunks, turning a simple meal into a culinary adventure that will make taste buds dance with joy.

Tips and Variations for Michael Symon’s Chili Recipe

  • Meat Flexibility: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein option that still delivers robust flavor.
  • Spice Customization: Adjust chile powder intensity by adding chipotle powder for smoky heat or reducing amount for mild palates; control spiciness according to personal preference.
  • Bean Variety Boost: Experiment with different bean types like kidney, black, or pinto beans to create unique texture and enhance nutritional value; mix multiple bean varieties for complex taste profile.
  • Slow Cooker Adaptation: Transform recipe by transferring browned meat and ingredients into slow cooker, cooking on low for 6-8 hours to develop deeper, more concentrated flavors and achieve melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

Serving Suggestions for Michael Symon’s Chili Recipe

  • Savor Chili's Perfect Companions: Delightful Side Dish Pairings
  • Bake Cornbread Squares: Warm, slightly sweet cornbread complements the spicy chili's robust flavors, providing a perfect textural contrast and hearty accompaniment.
  • Craft Simple Side Salad: Create a crisp green salad with mixed lettuce, diced tomatoes, and light vinaigrette to balance the chili's rich and intense taste profile.
  • Design Easy Tortilla Setup: Serve warm corn or flour tortillas alongside the chili, allowing guests to create their own wraps or use for scooping up delicious spoonfuls.
  • Layer Cool Topping Station: Arrange shredded cheese, diced onions, sour cream, and chopped cilantro in small bowls, enabling everyone to customize their chili experience with fresh, zesty garnishes.

Meal Planning and Storage for Michael Symon’s Chili Recipe

  • Meal Planning & Storage Advice
  • Batch Cook for Easy Meals: Prepare double the chili recipe and portion into meal-prep containers for quick weeknight dinners. Freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months, making busy nights a breeze.
  • Refrigeration Wisdom: Store leftover chili in sealed containers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. The flavors actually improve overnight, giving you an even more delicious meal the next day.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm chili slowly on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth to prevent drying. Stir frequently to maintain consistent temperature and prevent burning, ensuring creamy texture every time.
  • Freezer-Friendly Meal Prep: Label containers with date and contents before freezing. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently, preserving the rich, hearty flavors of your homemade chili.
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Spicy Michael Symon Chili Recipe

Spicy Michael Symon Chili Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 5 1x

Description

Michael Symon’s hearty chili brings robust flavors from Cleveland’s culinary scene. Spicy beef, aromatic spices, and rich ingredients combine for a satisfying meal you’ll savor with excitement.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs (907 g) lean ground beef
  • 14 ½ oz (411 g) crushed tomatoes
  • 19 oz (539 g) kidney beans, drained & rinsed
  • 14 ½ oz (411 g) diced tomatoes with juice
  • 1 ½ cups (355 ml) beef broth
  • 1 cup (237 ml) beer
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 2 ½ tbsps (37.5 ml) chili powder
  • 1 tsp (5 ml) cumin
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly massage chile powder into ground beef, ensuring comprehensive spice integration.
  2. Aromatics and Meat Sautéing: Caramelize garlic, jalapeño, and onion in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until completely browned, meticulously draining excess fat.
  3. Liquid Integration and Initial Cooking: Introduce remaining ingredients, stirring to create a harmonious blend. Bring the mixture to a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer.
  4. Simmering and Flavor Development: Cover the saucepan and allow chili to slowly develop depth, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Cook for 45-60 minutes until the mixture reaches a rich, thick consistency.
  5. Serving and Garnishing: Ladle chili into warm bowls, embellishing with optional toppings like sharp cheddar cheese, verdant green onions, fresh cilantro, or creamy sour cream to elevate the dish’s flavor profile and visual presentation.

Notes

  • Meat Selection Matters: Choose high-quality ground beef with 80/20 fat content for optimal flavor and juiciness, preventing dry chili.
  • Spice Balancing Technique: Adjust chile powder gradually and taste while cooking to control heat intensity and prevent overwhelming spiciness.
  • Simmering Secret: Allow chili to develop deep, rich flavors by maintaining low, consistent heat during the 45-60 minute cooking process.
  • Topping Transformation: Experiment with different garnishes like pickled jalapeños, crispy bacon bits, or fresh avocado to elevate the chili’s overall taste profile.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 5
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 6 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 24 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 8 g
  • Protein: 32 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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