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First Place Chili Recipe

First Place Chili Recipe


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4.8 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (stovetop) or 4 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker)
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Spicy First Place Chili delivers a championship-worthy blend of robust flavors that dance across your palate. Hearty beef, smoky spices, and rich tomato sauce combine in a winning recipe that promises culinary triumph for home cooks seeking bold, satisfying comfort.


Ingredients

Scale

Meats:

  • 1 pound pork sausage
  • 1 pound ground beef

Vegetables and Beans:

  • 1 large white onion
  • 10 ounces tomatoes and green chiles
  • 16 ounces chili beans
  • 15 ounces beans (great Northern, kidney, or black beans)
  • 15 ounces tomato sauce

Seasonings:

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon crushed oregano
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 3 tablespoons masa harina

Instructions

  1. Prepare a large stew pot or Dutch oven, heating it to medium temperature.
  2. Combine pork sausage, ground beef, and chopped onion in the pot, breaking meat into small crumbles while cooking until meat browns and onions soften, approximately 15 minutes.
  3. Carefully drain accumulated fat to maintain a lean, non-greasy texture.
  4. Incorporate diced tomatoes, chili beans, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices including chili powder, cumin, salt, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
  5. Sprinkle masa harina into the mixture, stirring thoroughly to enhance the chili’s thickness and provide a subtle corn undertone.
  6. Gradually reduce heat and allow the chili to reach a gentle simmer, creating a low, consistent bubbling effect.
  7. Cover the pot and let the chili develop its rich flavors, stirring intermittently to prevent ingredient adherence to the bottom, maintaining a consistent low heat for approximately 1 hour.
  8. For a more convenient preparation method, transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker, setting it to low temperature and allowing the chili to meld together over 4 hours.
  9. Once cooking is complete, taste and adjust seasonings if necessary, ensuring a balanced and robust flavor profile.

Notes

  • Choose lean ground beef and pork sausage to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier chili.
  • Experiment with different bean varieties like black beans or kidney beans for diverse flavor profiles and nutritional variety.
  • Add a splash of beer or red wine during simmering to enhance depth and complexity of the chili’s flavor.
  • Include extra vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini for added nutrition and texture without compromising the classic chili taste.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour (stovetop) or 4 hours (slow cooker)
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 283 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 558 mg
  • Fat: 17 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 19 g
  • Cholesterol: 65 mg