State Champion Chili Made Easy
By
Martha Ray Deen
@MarthaRayDeen
8
This chili has the makings of a champion, but it's so simple! You can modify the peppers used to turn up the heat.
Blue Ribbon Recipe
We loved the consistency of this chili. It's hearty with a slight kick and full of meat and beans. Reading the recipe we were a little skeptical about the amount of beans, but they create a nice, thick chili. Fresh veggies and seasoning are a great balance. It's very easy to make and perfect to throw together for a crowd. Top with a little cheese and some cornbread and you have a chili everyone will love.
Ingredients
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2 lbground beef (or ground venison or turkey)
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1 mediumsweet onion, chopped
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1 mediumgreen bell pepper, chopped
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1 mediumred bell pepper, chopped
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1 mediumbanana pepper, chopped (or any mildly hot/sweet pepper of your choice)
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28 oztomatoes, canned and chopped (with liquid)
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15 1/2 ozpinto beans, can (with liquid)
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15 1/2 ozlight kidney beans, cooked (with liquid)
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15 1/2 ozchili beans (variety of your choice; with liquid)
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2 can(s)dark red kidney beans; 15.5 oz each (with liquid)
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5 Tbspketchup
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3 Tbspgarlic powder (not garlic salt)
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3 Tbspred chili powder
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1 Tbspcumin
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2 tspblack pepper
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2 tspsalt
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1 tspcayenne pepper (up to 3 tsp or more if you desire)
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1 tspsugar
How to Make State Champion Chili Made Easy
- Brown ground beef (or turkey/venison) over medium/medium high heat in a stockpot and drain off excess fat.
- Add onion and peppers to the meat.
- Return to heat and cook (on medium to medium high) for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add all remaining ingredients to pot. Stir all ingredients well.
- Cook on medium for about 30 minutes.
- Turn down to low and let simmer another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting the flavor (cayenne, salt, pepper) during the last five minutes.
- This chili turns out wonderful! For leftovers, try this: Take the leftover chili (including sauce, etc), spread it into a lightly greased baking dish. Cover the chili with one can of drained yellow corn. Prepare cornbread (Mexican cornbread mix is great!) and bake casserole according to cornbread directions, allowing 5 to 10 extra minutes cooking time.
