Description
Hearty Sunday Chili brings warmth to weekend gatherings with robust flavors that dance across your palate. Simmered with care and packed with rich spices, this comfort classic promises a memorable meal that satisfies both hunger and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
- 6 strips bacon, chopped
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2.5 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (optional, for heat)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28 ounces / 794 grams) can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes
- 2 (15 ounces / 425 grams) cans beans (black, kidney, or pinto), rinsed and drained
- 2 cups beef broth (plus more if needed)
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced avocado
- Chopped cilantro or green onions
- Tortilla chips or cornbread
Instructions
- Render bacon in a spacious Dutch oven over medium heat until perfectly crisp. Extract the bacon with a perforated utensil, preserving approximately 12 tablespoons of rendered fat in the cooking vessel.
- Introduce diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped jalapeños into the hot bacon fat. Sauté until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence, approximately 34 minutes.
- Incorporate ground beef into the vegetable mixture, methodically fragmenting the meat while browning. Eliminate excess rendered fat if necessary.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder into the meat mixture. Fold in tomato paste and allow spices to bloom, intensifying their flavor profile for 12 minutes.
- Pour crushed tomatoes and beef broth into the pot. Gently fold in dark red kidney beans and reserved crispy bacon pieces. Initiate a gentle simmer.
- Reduce heat to minimal setting, allowing chili to gently bubble and meld flavors for 3060 minutes. Periodically stir and monitor liquid consistency, supplementing broth if needed. Calibrate seasoning according to personal preference. Ladle into warm bowls and garnish with preferred accompaniments.
Notes
- Crisp bacon separately for maximum flavor, ensuring it’s cooked evenly without burning.
- Reserve extra bacon grease for added richness and depth in the chili’s base.
- Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent cooking and balanced texture throughout the dish.
- Choose high-quality ground beef with moderate fat content for juicier, more flavorful results.
- Toast spices briefly to enhance their aromatic compounds and release deeper, more complex flavor profiles.
- Allow extended simmering time to develop richer, more melded taste and tenderize meat completely.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting jalapeno quantity or adding different pepper varieties.
- Make this chili keto-friendly by replacing beans with low-carb vegetables like zucchini or cauliflower.
- Prepare larger batches since chili tastes even better after overnight refrigeration, letting flavors intensify.
- Top with diverse garnishes like Greek yogurt, fresh cilantro, or avocado for added nutrition and excitement.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 169
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 101mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 20mg