Description

This Best Homemade Chili recipe is a hearty, flavorful dish perfect for any occasion. Combining lean ground beef, Italian sausage, and a blend of spices with vegetables, beer, and tomatoes, it offers a rich and comforting meal. The chili simmers to develop deep flavors and is topped off with kidney beans to add texture and protein. Ideal for family dinners or gatherings, this chili is both satisfying and simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound lean ground beef
½ pound Italian sausage
1 large yellow onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

Spices and Liquids

3 tablespoons chili powder
2 cups beef broth
1 cup beer (or beef broth for kid-friendly option)
1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½ teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
½ teaspoon ground black pepper (or more to taste)

Beans

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

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Instructions

Cook the Meat and Vegetables: Heat a large pot over high heat. Add the lean ground beef, Italian sausage, chopped onions, minced garlic, chopped celery, and chopped green bell pepper. Cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally until the meat is no longer pink and the vegetables have softened.
Add Chili Powder: Sprinkle in the chili powder and continue cooking for 1 minute to toast the spice and enhance its flavor.
Add Remaining Ingredients and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth, beer (or additional beef broth for a kid-friendly version), diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat to maintain an energetic simmer, cooking uncovered for 40 to 60 minutes until the chili thickens to your preferred consistency. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, stir in the drained kidney beans to heat through.
Season and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot and enjoy your hearty homemade chili!

Notes

For a spicier chili, consider adding cayenne pepper or extra chili powder.
Use beer to add depth to the chili, or substitute with beef broth for a non-alcoholic, kid-friendly version.
Simmering uncovered helps thicken the chili; adjust simmer time depending on your desired thickness.
Drain canned kidney beans well to avoid excess liquid in the chili.
Leftover chili tastes even better the next day after flavors meld together.