Servings: 12
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Start to Finish Time: 3 hours 35 minutes
Chef Joe’s Homemade Chili: A Spicy Bean Lover’s Delight
If you’re looking for a chili that’s hearty, bold, and packed with enough spice to keep you reaching for your favorite drink, Chef Joe’s Homemade Chili is exactly what you need. This isn’t your average bowl of chili; it’s a robust, flavorful meal designed to warm you up and linger in your senses with every bite.
A Hearty Base with Bold Beans
For the bean lovers out there, this recipe offers not one but two types of beans—kidney and black beans—adding a delightful texture and rich flavor to the chili. While the beans provide a strong foundation, the beef adds the heartiness that makes this dish perfect for any chilly evening or casual get-together. It’s also ideal for sharing at game nights when you want something substantial and satisfying.
Peppers Galore for Smoky Depth and Heat
No chili is complete without a good dose of peppers, and this recipe doesn’t disappoint. Poblano peppers bring a subtle smokiness, while optional dried Ancho, Guajillo, and habanero peppers add layers of heat that sneak up on you and stay with you long after you’ve finished. Whether you like it mildly spicy or fiery hot, you can customize the level of heat by adjusting the amount of optional dried peppers and Tabasco sauce.
A Blend of Fresh and Blended Tomatoes
One unique touch in Chef Joe’s chili is the use of both fresh diced tomatoes and blended tomatoes. This combination creates a rich and well-balanced base with just the right amount of acidity and sweetness. Taking the extra step to blend some of the tomatoes enhances the texture, making it thicker and more velvety.
Seasoned to Perfection
A good chili is all about the seasoning, and this one nails it. A generous amount of chili powder, cumin, cayenne, smoked paprika, and basil works together to create layers of bold flavor. Salt and pepper round things off, while a touch of Hershey’s milk chocolate adds unexpected depth and a slight hint of sweetness that balances the heat beautifully.
The Secret Ingredient: A Splash of Beer
For an added layer of richness, this chili includes a splash of beer. The beer enhances the overall flavor profile, making it even more complex. Don’t worry—the alcohol cooks off, leaving behind only its malty goodness. It’s a subtle but essential ingredient that makes a big difference in the final result.
Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or preparing a batch for a weekend card game with friends, Chef Joe’s Homemade Chili delivers in both quantity and flavor. The bold, lingering heat makes it ideal for spice lovers, while the hearty mix of beans and beef ensures everyone leaves satisfied.
Ready to take your chili game to the next level? Grab your ingredients, fire up the stove, and prepare to enjoy a bowl of bold, flavorful chili that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen!
Ingredients:
5 pounds ground beef
5 each poblano peppers, diced
1 each onion, chopped
2 10-ounce can black beans, canned, undrained
2 10-ounce can kidney beans, canned, undrained
3 each tomatoes, pealed, cored and diced
3 each tomatoes, blended (see procedure)
1 each Ancho chile pepper, dried, cleaned and sliced (OPTIONAL for “heat”)
1 each Guajillo chile pepper, dried, cleaned and sliced (OPTIONAL for “heat”)
1 each habanero chile pepper, dried, cleaned and sliced (OPTIONAL for “heat”)
1/2 cup chili powder
2 teaspoons cayenne
2 teaspoons cumin
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoons basil
salt and pepper, to taste
Tabasco sauce, to taste
1/4 cup beer
1/2 1.55 oz Hershey’s milk chocolate bar
Instructions:
Brown ground beef in a large pot (or Dutch oven) over medium heat, about 15 minutes.
Once browned, reduce heat to simmer and add beans. Do not strain the beans — the juice will make a broth for the chili. Stir
and cook meat and beans for 5 minutes.
Add peppers, onions and diced tomatoes and stir.
Use a food processor to blend the remaining three tomatoes and optional dried peppers (Ancho, Habanero & Guajillo) until
they reach a sauce-like consistency, then add to the chili and stir.
Add spices, salt, black pepper and Tabasco sauce.
Stir and cook for 1 hour.
Add beer, then cook for an addition two hours, stirring occasionally (If chili becomes dry, add water or beef stock as
needed).
About five minutes before finishing, add chocolate.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Stir and serve.
This is the type of heat that sneaks up and then lingers in your mouth for quite some time. Not for the mild chili people. This is a great “card game” chili with both quantity and flavor.