Smoky Chili

I have tried many chili recipe in the many years that I have been married and none of them were ever to my picky husbands liking. I hit the jackpot with this recipe and as an added bonus our kids love it too.

Ingredients:
4 slices thick cut bacon, finely chopped
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ lbs lean ground beef
1 Tbsp chili powder
1½ tsp ground cumin
1 ½ tsp smoked paprika (can be found at Whole Foods & Super Target)
½ tsp to 1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1 can (14.5oz) crushed fire-roasted tomatoes or regular crushed tomatoes (I use regular)
1 can (8oz) tomato sauce
1 cup beer (Pale Ale or Pilsner)
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 can (14.5oz) pinto or kidney beans
Grated cheese for topping

Step 1

In a large, heavy bottomed pot over medium high heat, cook bacon, stirring until brown, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from pot, remove half of the bacon grease. Add onion, lower heat to medium and cover, cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 4 to 7 minutes. Add in garlic, cook for 1 minute. Remove from pot.

Step 2

Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef; break up with wooden spoon and stir gently until it loses its raw color, about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain any grease from the ground beef. Add bacon, onion and garlic back to pot. Stir in spices and salt. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, beer, and Worcestershire and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover partially, and cook for 30 minutes.

Step 3

Add beans and cook for 10 minutes, uncovered. Season to taste with additional salt. Can be topped with Sour cream, sliced scallions, oyster crackers, and grated cheese. We only use the cheese and oyster crackers at my house, again I have a few picky eaters.

I hope you enjoy this chili as much as we do!