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I don’t know about you but I LOVE a good bowl of chili! And I don’t like funky chili variations. It just needs to be a great classic bowl of chili. And this classic chili is perfect to satisfy that craving!
I have to be honest, I have messed with a lot of chili recipes trying to find one that my husband liked. He is very picky traditional in his tastes. 🙂 So I’m happy to say, not only my husband, but my babies Coco and Ash love this one as well! I just make it mild for them. This chili isfull of flavor and so hearty. It’s perfect for leftovers too! I usually make a large batch and eat it all week long!
So if you want a bowl of chili that taste like chili SHOULD taste, here it is!
Ingredients:
(Note: I know this seems like a lot of ingredients but most of them are very inexpensive and this is super easy to make) 🙂
Okay, here we go!
First heatyour olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. When you pan is hot, add in your meat and season it with 1 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. Cook until it’s browned throughout.
While you are waiting for the meat to cook, you can chop your onion, green pepper, and garlic. Just don’t forget that your meat is cooking. Stir it around every few minutes. Now if you don’t have one of these food scraper/chopper things. Get one now! It’sone of those kitchen items that doesn’t cost much but you’ll use it ALL the time!
By the way, can we talk about how gigantic my garlic cloves were?! I know therecipe calls for 4 cloves but I only used 2 of these mutants.
Ok so once your meat is browned, remove it from the pot and set it aside. I used lean beef and turkey so I didn’t need to drain it but if yours is too greasy, go ahead and drain it as well.
In the same pot, over medium heat, add in your chopped onion and green pepper and sauté until translucent (about 5 minutes). You can add another tablespoon of olive oil if your pan is too dry.
Once your onions and peppers are translucent, add in your garlic and sauté for only another 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and add in 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tbsp cumin, 3 tbsp chili powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. (I didn’t add the cayenne this time since my kids were eating it)
Stir in your seasonings and then add your meat back in to the pot. Stir that together then add in all of your other ingredients which include: the cans of tomato sauce, both beans (drained), the fire roasted diced tomatoes, the cocoa powder, and oregano. I know cocoa powder seems like something super funky to put in here but you won’t taste any “chocolate”. It just gives the whole dish a rounded richness that takes this chili over the top! I also put a picture of the fire roasted tomatoes in here so you can know what to look for. 🙂 They have such a good charred flavor to them and they’re not spicy at all.
So now everything should be in your pot!
Cover the pot, put it on low, and let it simmer for 2 hours. You could also make this ahead the night before and just don’t simmer it that night. Insteadpop it in the crockpot in the morning on low for about 8 hours.
When your ready to enjoy it, serve it in a bowl and top it with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream!
Classic Chili
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground meat I use 1 lb. lean beef and 1 lb. turkey but use what you prefer
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
- Salt & pepper
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper Just leave this out if you're making it for little ones
- 29 oz can of tomato sauce
- Another 15oz can of tomato sauce
- 2 - 14.5 ounce cans of Hunt's fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 15.5 ounce can of red kidney beans drained
- 15.8 ounce can of great northern beans drained
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder 🙂 trust me
- 1 tsp dried oregano
Instructions
Heat a large pot over medium high heat and add in your olive oil and then your meat.
Season your meat with 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
While your meat is browning, chop your onion, green pepper, and garlic.
Once your meat is cooked through, drain it if necessary and remove it from the pan. I just set it aside in a bowl.
In your same heated pot, add in your chopped onions and green peppers and cook for about 5 minutes or until translucent.
Add in your garlic and cook for 2 more minutes then remove from heat.
Once your garlic is cooked, add in 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 black pepper, cumin, chili powder, and cayenne pepper and stir together.
Add your meat back to the pan and add in the rest of your ingredients: Tomato sauce cans, diced tomatoes, beans, cocoa powder, and oregano.
Stir everything together to combine, reduce your heat to low, cover the pot and simmer for 2 hours while stirring occasionally OR place in the crockpot on low for 7-8 hours.
Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment!
FAQs
The trick is to add only enough cocoa to make the chili taste better, not so much that it overwhelms the other ingredients or turns the chili into chocolate soup. You'll only need up to a tablespoon for a flavor boost.
What is the secret to amazing chili? ›
Elevate your chili recipe by adding an extra layer of flavor. Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight.
Why put cocoa in chili? ›
What does cocoa powder do for chili? Cocoa powder adds a rich depth of flavor to chili. There isn't a prominent chocolate taste, just extra deliciousness from something that you can't quite pinpoint. Use unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder so it doesn't make the finished dish sweet.
Should you add sugar to chili? ›
The chili tastes completely different without the brown sugar so if you like a subtle sweetness in your chili then you've just got to go for it! Trust me, it will not make your chili taste like candy. It's all about balance between spicy, smoky, and sweet.
What happens if you add too much cocoa powder? ›
It is starch that will absorb liquid.
That means that too much of it also means a dry-baked good. So to avoid your baked goods from coming out dry, either reduce the amount of flour (by the same amount of cocoa) or increase the amount of liquid in your formula, about 1/4-1/3 cup of liquids per 1/2 cup of powder.
How much cocoa is enough? ›
The studies in this article generally used 20–30 g of dark chocolate per day. Dark chocolate with higher percentages of cacao solids typically contains less sugar but more fat. More cacao also means more flavanols, so it is best to choose dark chocolate that includes at least 70 percent cacao solids or more.
What is the most important spice in chili? ›
Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.
Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›
With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.
Why do you put brown sugar in chili? ›
The real key to great chili however is brown sugar! In fact, brown sugar is what gives the chili a subtle sweetness you never even knew you were missing. With both subtly sweet tones and punches of heat, this Sweet and Spicy Chili, lives up to it's name, it truly is sweet and sassy!
What makes can chili taste better? ›
Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
Using dark chocolate in this Chilli Con Carne recipe adds a delicious depth of flavour that enriches the dish.
Why do people put baking soda in chili? ›
We do. In this chili recipe, baking soda (that same thing the fluffs up cakes and cookies) tenderizes the ground beef while making it brown better. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is alkaline.
What adds the most flavor to chili? ›
If you want more of a smoky flavor, add cumin, Spanish paprika, ancho chili powder, or a combination. If you are looking for more heat, add cayenne, crushed red pepper, or Hungarian paprika. If it's too spicy add a little brown sugar and some sweet paprika.
What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›
Stir some puréed pumpkin into your chili just after sautéing your aromatics (onions, garlic, etc...) and before adding any liquid. This will deepen and sweeten its flavor, making it a great balance for all the chile peppers and heat.
Why do you put cinnamon in chili? ›
Cinnamon. The beauty of ground cinnamon is that it brings a warmth to your chili, without being spicy. It works well with other flavors commonly found in chili (like tomato, cumin and chile powder) so you only need a little bit to achieve the desired balance.
How much cocoa powder should I use? ›
How much cocoa powder should I eat every day? A. According to the European Food Safety Authority, the recommended daily intake value is 0.1 ounces (2.5 grams) of high-flavanol cocoa powder. In simple words, you shouldn't consume more than four to six teaspoons of raw cocoa in a day.
How much cacao to use? ›
How much you consume depends on your intention. For a meditation, the average dose recommended is 22-30g. For a ceremonial dose, we recommend 40-50g. Beyond 50g in a serving can be too much, especially for those who are just beginning their journey with Cacao.
What is the ratio of cocoa to fat? ›
Fat Content of Cocoa Powder
The fat percentage refers to the amount of cocoa butter remaining in the powder. Low fat cocoa typically falls around 10-12% fat and high fat cocoa is typically 20-22% or 22-24% fat. In product formulations that contain other fats, a lower fat content cocoa powder can be used.
