Description
This hearty and flavorful chili recipe, Dad’s Award Winning Secret Ingredient Chili, combines ground beef with a blend of beans, tomatoes, chili seasoning, and unique additions like semi-sweet chocolate and coffee grounds for a rich depth of flavor. Slow simmered for three hours, this chili is perfect for a comforting meal that delivers warmth and complex taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs ground beef
Vegetables and Beans
- 2 (28 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (15.5 oz) can dark red kidney beans
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can sweet corn kernels, drained
- 1 tsp dried chopped onion
Seasonings and Add-ins
- 1 can MILD Bush’s chili starter
- 1 pkg chili seasoning mix
- 1 oz semi sweet chocolate
- 1 tbsp coffee grounds
- 1/2–1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
Liquids
- 1 (12 oz) can or bottle lager-style beer
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef: In a large pot over medium heat, add the ground beef and cook it while stirring frequently to break it into small pieces. Continue cooking until the meat is fully browned and no longer pink inside. Then, drain the excess grease using a strainer and return the beef to the pot.
- Add remaining ingredients: Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, sweet corn, dried chopped onion, Bush’s chili starter, chili seasoning mix, semi sweet chocolate, coffee grounds, garlic powder, sugar, and beer to the pot. Stir well to evenly combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer the chili: Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low so the chili is just simmering. Cover partially with a lid and let it cook gently for 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the chili thickens too much, add water or beef broth to achieve your desired consistency.
- Serve: Once cooked, ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.
Notes
- The semi sweet chocolate adds a subtle richness and depth to the chili.
- Coffee grounds enhance the smoky and robust flavors but can be adjusted or omitted based on preference.
- Simmering for a full 3 hours develops the best flavor and tenderizes the ingredients.
- Adjust the beer and seasoning according to taste and spiciness preference.
- Can be served with cornbread, rice, or tortilla chips for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chili, ground beef chili, award winning chili, secret ingredient chili, homemade chili, slow simmered chili, chocolate chili, coffee chili
