The perfect chili recipe to share with friends and family. Easy to customize and make your own.
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One thing I love when the air gets crisp and cool and the leaves start to change color is none other than a thick, spicy bowl of chili! I’m a fan of a strong chili powder and cumin flavor in my chili recipe, but I also love to stir in different ingredients to give my chili the same general consistency and flavor, with a little variety each time.
Today I’m sharing my basic chili recipe with all of you. This is a recipe that has won me the hearts of chili fans all over, as well as top praise at chili contests (among my co workers, at least).
Thick and Spicy Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound hamburger
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 32 oz jug tomato juice, (V8, low sodium, etc is good to use too)
- 2 cans dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup frozen corn
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1/4 tsp seasoning salt
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
- dash salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
Instructions
- Brown hamburger in a large pot; drain grease. Stir in chopped onion and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently until onion becomes translucent.
- Add remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for at least 30 min to let flavors mingle. For a thicker more flavorful chili, let simmer for several hours before serving.
Chili Stir In Ideas
- peppers of all varieties: green, yellow, red, orange, jalapeno, habanero, anything you want!
- If you don’t like beans or want to cut down on them, try adding diced potatoes. They have a similar texture and taste delicious in the tomato broth.
- liquid smoke
- brown sugar
- molasses
- pineapple, to sweeten it up a bit (add towards the end of cook time)
- lime juice
- cilantro
- beef bullion
- bay leaf
- diced celery, celery salt and/or celery seed
- hot pepper sauce
- cinnamon
- cocoa powder
- horseradish sauce
- If you like a thinner soup stir in water or broth
- beer
- rice or barley
- Bacon
- Use steak instead of ground burger
- Use ground turkey or pork
- Don’t forget chicken!
Perfect Chili Pairings
Check your fridge and pantry for some of these ingredients to partner up with your chili.
- Sour Cream
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Diced Onions
- Avocado
- Corn Bread
- Flaxseed Bread
- Top hot dogs for chili dogs
- Dip corn dogs in it
- Eat on tortillas
- Serve with cheese sticks for dipping
- crackers of many varieties
- pretzels
- Serve on top of fries, tater tots or corn chips
- Stir in macaroni noodles for chili mac
Looking for something a little different? Try one of these recipes.
YUM! I love so many kinds of chili! Love kidney beans in mine, usually thicker like yours 🙂
I’m not a chili person, I can’t eat beans without getting sick. But my husband LOVES chili! I make it on very special occasions when I want to do something really special for him. I am going to have to try this recipe soon as the weather is getting colder and he could really use some special chili.
I used to hate beans, but my tastes have since changed. But, when I was all about avoiding beans, I used to put potatoes in the chili in place of them. They get soft so they have a similar texture. It worked perfect for me! I highly suggest trying this so you can enjoy a bowl of chili as well 🙂
That looks great. I never thought of corn. I like it thicker, whole stewed tomatoes, and like 3 different beans or more. 🙂 I am not the spicy type but do like it to taste somewhat; maybe more mild.
My step-dad used to make a kielbasa chili that we make now. That’s about the only chili I will eat. It’s delicious! Topped with some sour cream and shredded cheese… I just might have to make that for dinner tonight! 🙂
I have to keep my chili fairly mild. Ever since I had my gallbladder removed anything relatively spicy makes me sick.
I love a good chili and have been experimenting more lately since becoming vegan. I like mine nice and spicy, but one tip I thought I’d pass on, is if you accidentally made it “burn your face off” hot, lots of people suggest adding brown sugar, but if you don’t want to add the sugar, try stirring in a spoonful of peanut butter! It sounds crazy, but it does lower the heat factor, and adds a certain depth of flavor.