HUGE POT of Chilli At Hom

Making a huge pot of chili at home is perfect for family gatherings, meal prep, or just having delicious leftovers. Here’s a robust recipe for a hearty and flavorful chili:

Ingredients

Meat and Beans:

• 2 lbs ground beef (you can also use a mix of beef and pork or turkey)
• 1 lb ground pork (optional)
• 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cans (15 oz each) pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 large onions, diced
• 2 bell peppers, diced (any color)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
• 2 cans (6 oz each) tomato paste
• 2 cans (10 oz each) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
• 1 cup beef broth (or water)

Spices:

• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional, to balance the acidity of tomatoes)

Optional Toppings:

• Shredded cheese
• Sour cream
• Sliced green onions
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Diced avocado
• Lime wedges

Instructions

1. Cook the Meat:
   • In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef (and ground pork if using) over medium-high heat until browned. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté Vegetables:
   • Add the diced onions and bell peppers to the pot. Cook until they begin to soften, about 5-7 minutes.
   • Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
3. Add Tomatoes and Broth:
   • Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and beef broth. Mix well.
4. Season the Chili:
   • Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, coriander, oregano, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
5. Simmer:
   • Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For best results, let it simmer for 1-2 hours to deepen the flavors.
6. Add Beans:
   • About 30 minutes before serving, add the drained and rinsed beans. Stir well and continue to simmer on low.
7. Adjust Seasoning:
   • Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. Add more salt, pepper, or spices to suit your preference.
8. Serve:
   • Ladle the chili into bowls and top with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, diced avocado, and lime wedges.

Tips:

• For a thicker chili, you can simmer it uncovered for part of the cooking time to let some of the liquid evaporate.
• If you prefer a spicier chili, add more cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño.
• This chili can be made ahead of time and actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld together.

Enjoy your hearty pot of chili!