Award Winning Southern Soul Chili
This Award Winning Southern Soul Chili is a comforting dish filled with rich flavors, perfect for gatherings and family dinners.
Ingredients
Meat Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb hot sausage
Vegetables
- ½ unit poblano pepper - chopped
- 2 stalks celery - chopped
- 1 medium onion - minced
- 2 tablespoons garlic - minced
Chili Base Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 oz tomato paste - canned or from tube
- 1 can (16 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup your favorite Hot/Spicy BBQ sauce
- 12 oz lager beer
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
Beans
- 2 cans (15 oz) dark red kidney beans - rinsed and drained
- 1 can black beans - rinsed and drained
Instructions
Preparation
- In an extra-large stockpot or cast iron skillet, brown the ground beef and sausage.
- Add the chopped vegetables, except for the garlic, and cook until the meats are cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Cooking
- Lower the heat to medium.
- Add the chili powder, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and BBQ sauces to the pot, mixing well. Scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in the beer, beef broth, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and honey. Mix to blend the ingredients together.
- Simmer the chili for about 1.5 hours, stirring frequently to let the flavors marry. If the sauce gets too thick, add water in 1/4 cup amounts.
- Add the beans and cook for another 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
Serving
- Serve with garnishes and extras like sour cream, scallions, grated cheese, hot sauce, jalapeños, and hot cornbread.
Notes
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chili for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge and reheat it on the stove or in the microwave. Adjust seasoning levels to your preference.