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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
Cocoa Powder and Chili Go Very Well Together
Adding chocolate to chili lends depth and richness to the spicy dish, making it both more savory and more satisfying. That's especially the case for vegetarian and vegan chilis, when the hearty flavors from meat aren't part of the equation.
What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›
Coffee or Espresso: A cup of coffee can add a rich, earthy depth to your chili. The subtle bitterness of coffee perfectly complements the savory elements of the dish, creating a complex flavor profile.
How much cocoa to put in chili? ›
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.
Do people put peanut butter in their chili? ›
Upon further research, there are many chili recipes that call for peanut butter with plenty of rave reviews, and it stems from familiar logic. Much like how certain savory Tex-Mex recipes include ingredients such as cocoa or cinnamon, peanut butter offers a unique balance to the spices and heat used in chili.
How do you make chili more flavorful? ›
Cinnamon, strong coffee, and dark chocolate all boost them meaty flavor in a good chili. Pick any of the following: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 whole cinnamon stick, a shot of espresso, a small cup of strong coffee, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, or a few squares of good-quality dark chocolate.
What makes Cincinnati chili different? ›
Traditional red chili often includes cumin, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, though it's not limited to these spices. Cincinnati chili, on the other hand, has a sweeter edge with spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Some recipes also use cocoa powder.
What is the trick to a good chili? ›
Dried chiles and whole spices provide a more flavorful foundation than pre-made blends. Keeping the short ribs whole allows for better browning. A long soak in salted water yields smooth, tender, and flavorful beans.
What is the most important spice in chili? ›
Best Herbs And Spices For Chilli Con Carne
- Smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is an essential spice in any chilli recipe. ...
- Ground cumin. It's hard to imagine Mexican chilli con carne without cumin. ...
- Garlic powder. ...
- Onion powder. ...
- Oregano. ...
- Marjoram. ...
- Ground coriander. ...
- Chilli powder.
Yellow onion is the most popular ingredient in chili dishes. In fact, over 70% of chili recipes contain yellow onion. Chopped, diced and minced are frequent preparations for yellow onion in chili dishes. Yellow onion is often included in chili dishes in amounts of 1 yellow onion, 1 large or 2 yellow onions.
How much cocoa powder is enough? ›
The European Food Safety Authority recommends 0.1 ounces (2.5 grams) of high-flavanol cocoa powder or 0.4 ounces (10 grams) of high-flavanol dark chocolate containing at least 200 mg of flavanols per day to achieve heart health benefits ( 42 ).
What is the daily recommended amount of dark chocolate? The recommended “dose” is approximately 1 to 2 ounces or 30-60g, experts say.
How do you make 100% cocoa taste better? ›
How to Sweeten 100% Dark Chocolate
- Pair it with different foods or drinks. Pair a 100% chocolate bar with cheese, fruits, nuts, coffee or wine. ...
- Melt the chocolate and add sugar, honey or artificial sweetener.
- Add candied fruit. After melting the chocolate, stir in two tablespoons of chopped candied fruit.
Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.
What brings out the flavor 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.
Do people put brown sugar in their chili? ›
Spices– chili powder, ground cumin, sweet paprika, and ground coriander. Brown Sugar– this is a must when making chili! It adds a sweetness that really balances the flavor.
What does cocoa powder do to food? ›
Cocoa powder is considered as a healthier source of antioxidants and nutrients. It is also often used in raw food diets and vegan diets as a natural sweetener and flavoring. It can be used in a variety of everyday foods to add a rich chocolate flavor and nutritional benefits.
What happens when you heat cocoa powder? ›
The heat makes the bean (which is ground into a powder) sweeter, and therefore many bakers prefer it. Cacao however is dried, fermented and heated at a lower temperature to maintain the beneficial antioxidants and minerals.
How do you neutralize cocoa powder? ›
By adding baking soda to unsweetened cocoa, you are neutralizing the acid in the cocoa, so it doesn't interact unfavorably with the other ingredients in the recipe.
Why do people put chili in chocolate? ›
According to chocoblog.com, the premiere chocolate review blog, the flavors are strong and the chili provides much more kick.
