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    Home » Comfort Food

    Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili

    Oct 17, 2018 · 22 Comments

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    You know how you have some recipes you've made for like ever and yet you tweak, tweak, tweak them to get them to the perfect place?? My Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili is one of those.

    Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili

    I can make my Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili with my eyes closed, lol! When I think of Halloween, I think of Chili. It's been my go-to dinner since my firstborn was one year old. Chili is just so easy to make and it's easily adaptable for when you need to feed a crowd.

    Years ago, I won first place at chili cook-off competition where I worked. I won again after that in an online recipe contest and once more at an informal gathering of friends where we did a chili and cocktail fest. So this chili is a triple crown winner, woot!

    How Do You Make Chili?

    Chili is easy to make once you know the type you want to make. Make your chili with ground beef, with beef chunks or like I enjoy with a combo of beef & sausage.

    All you need to do is get your meat(s) browned, strain out the residual fat, get your aromatics sauteing then add in the rest of what you need to flavor the chili proper. Thinks like beer, tomatoes, tomato paste and seasonings.

    Is It Best To Make Chili A Day Ahead?

    In my opinion, chili is delicious the day you make it. However, the next day, after it has had a chance to cool and then be reheated, somehow it is even tastier. So chili IS one of those meals you can certainly make ahead of time!

    What Can You Make With Leftover Chili?

    In addition to enjoying chili on its own, you can make Chilli Stuffed Avocados (mmmm!) or Chili Stuffed Peppers. Add it to queso to create Chili Queso Dip, top hot dogs or nachos with it or simply eat it like my son does, with tortilla chips!

    Chili Stuffed Avocado

    Can You Freeze Chili?

    Chili freezes well, especially if you use a FoodSaver! Completely cool your chili then store in vacuum sealed bags or freezer safe containers.

    For now, I am happy making Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili BUT I am super curious about trying a Texas Style Chili. From what I am told it calls for chunks of beef (like a stew) vs ground and often put no beans in it. Does anyone make that style of chili?

    Prize Winning Beef & Sausage Chili Recipe

    I enjoy topping my chili bowl with sour cream and scallions while the rest of my family likes topping theirs with shredded cheese. What do you prefer?

    Let me know if you try my Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili recipe! If you do take a picture and tag me on Instagram at @SouffleBombay. I love seeing what people make from my site!

    Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili

    Prize-Winning Beef & Sausage Chili

    Colleen Kennedy
    Chili is a great dish to make for a crowd once the temperature drops! Plus its delicious leftover!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 45 minutes mins
    Course Chili
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 TBS olive or grapeseed oil
    • 1 large Vidalia onion chopped
    • 1 jalapeno chopped seeds in or out based on your preference for heat
    • 2 TBS garlic paste or 3 large cloves of garlic minced
    • 2 pounds ground beef
    • 1 pound loose hot Italian sausage or link, casing removed and sausage <g class="gr_ gr_134 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="134" data-gr-id="134">broken</g> up
    • 6 ounces of beer (I like a Guinness beer for this but any dark lager will do.
    • can of crushed tomatoes)
    • 1 15 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
    • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
    • 28 ounces kidney beans drained and rinsed (add more beans if you love them or are trying to stretch the chili)
    • Red pepper flakes to taste if your jalapeno wasn't spicy or you want more heat
    • 4 TBS chili powder or more to taste
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt more to taste
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper more or less to taste
    • 1½ TBS sugar
    • 1 TBS Worcestershire sauce

    Instructions
     

    • Heat your oil in a large pot, saute your onions and garlic over medium heat, stirring often for about 2½ minutes If using fresh minced garlic, add in with 30 seconds to go (if using garlic paste add in when you add tomatoes). Remove from the pot and place in a bowl, set aside.
    • Add the ground beef and sausage to the pot and cook over medium-high heat. Cook your meat, stirring often until it is mostly browned. Drain off most of the grease/liquid using a lid to assist you.
    • Add in the beer and the onion-pepper mixture to the beef and simmer for 2 minutes.
    • Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir well.
    • Add in the beans, chili powder, salt, pepper, sugar and Worcestershire sauce and stir well.
    • Let the chili come to a bubble, stirring often. Continue cooking on low heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring often.
    • Adjust seasonings to your liking, depending on your taste, you may want to add in 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder or a TBS of cocoa powder (which I do from time to time for a depth of flavor).
    • Chili gets better with time, so let it rest on the stove covered by a lid for an hour prior to serving if you can (or make a day ahead). Reheat and serve.
    • Serve with bowls of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream <g class="gr_ gr_113 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="113" data-gr-id="113">and</g> chopped green onion.

    Notes

    Add in an extra jalapeno if you want spicy chili. However, it depends on the jalapenos...You never know if you will get one that sets your mouth on fire or is a dud!
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jennifer Clark says

      November 29, 2018 at 2:15 pm

      Question...you show 1 lb of hot italian sausage twice. Is that correct? Should I use 2 lbs of hot italian sausage and 4 lbs of ground beef?

      Reply
    2. Colleen says

      March 06, 2019 at 3:34 pm

      Hi Jennifer, whoops! I double typed that ingredient! Just 1 pound of pork. Thanks for the catch! If you were doubling the recipe it would be 2 pounds of pork and 4 pounds of beef.

      Reply
    3. Sharon Loh says

      December 07, 2019 at 4:07 pm

      Hi! I’d like to try this recipe but cannot find mention of when you add the beans. When do they go in, please?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        December 19, 2019 at 2:25 pm

        Yikes, I will have to read and update the recipe! I make this so often I must have mentally skipped over the step when writing which happens. Thanks for the catch Sharon! I add the beans in step 5 (just after adding the tomatoes).

        Reply
    4. Bryan says

      March 08, 2020 at 4:54 pm

      What size can of crushed tomatoes?

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        March 16, 2020 at 3:10 pm

        28 ounce.

        Reply
    5. Steph C says

      February 19, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      Made some variations based on what we had on the cupboard , but VERY delicious nonetheless.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        February 22, 2021 at 7:46 pm

        Awesome!!

        Reply
    6. John Stansfield says

      August 24, 2021 at 10:53 pm

      I made This recipe for a little chili cook off to decide a winning recipe to sell for a Knights of Columbus fund raiser.

      I WON!!!!!! This is the second time I have Followed this recipe and same result both times. Winner Winner!!!!
      Thank you!!!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        August 26, 2021 at 3:51 pm

        Whoohoo! I love hearing that!! Congrats John!

        Reply
    7. RachaelLyman says

      October 19, 2021 at 7:32 pm

      Do you cook the jalapeños with the onion/garlic? You mention adding the onion-pepper mixture but never say when to add the jalapeño.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        October 20, 2021 at 11:24 am

        Yes, I do. I will update that in the steps. Thank you! Just made this yesterday 🙂

        Reply
    8. Brandon Oliver says

      November 16, 2021 at 2:57 pm

      Currently making this recipe as I type this. My girlfriend is vegan so I'm using plant based "meat" and "sausage", and I am using Odouls Amber as well aside from traditional beer. From the initial taste taste, it is phenomenal. I am on the 30 min simmering stage and then letting it rest for an hour. My only downside seems to be the texture of the meat which is to be expected using plant based mock meat.
      I will be happy to re-comment with the results once the chili is complete. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        November 17, 2021 at 4:23 pm

        Fantastic Brandon! Hope she loves it! I always say food=love, lol! Also check out my Lentil Bolognese.https://soufflebombay.com/easy-lentil-bolognese/ It's my daughters favorite!! AND this tomato soup, https://soufflebombay.com/tomato-detox-soup/ the flavor is insane (vegan), this crispy air fried tofu https://soufflebombay.com/crispy-air-fried-tofu/ , and this sweet potato souphttps://soufflebombay.com/dairy-free-sweet-potato-bisque/ . All vegan! Now you'll be in the kitchen all week, lol! Enjoy!

        Reply
    9. ShaGold says

      February 15, 2022 at 12:37 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent. Since my grocery store only sells ground beef in 1.3 lb packages, I upped the quantities of everything else by at least 1/4; crushed tomatoes, tomato paste and beer were about doubled. I used regular chili power and Chipotle chili powder and it was really really good.

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        February 16, 2022 at 12:59 pm

        Wonderful to hear!!

        Reply
    10. Becky says

      October 24, 2022 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      Fantastic and easy recipe--thank you so much! Very first words out of our mouths with the first taste test: WOW––this IS a winner!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        October 24, 2022 at 7:55 pm

        Awesome!! I actually just made a big pot this evening! Glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
    11. Dee says

      November 05, 2022 at 7:09 pm

      5 stars
      I used this as a base for this chili cook off I entered and I was the champ. Prize winning indeed!! I didn't use sugar or the Worcestershire sauce and I used some scorpion peppers in addition to the jalapeño and everyone loved it! Made it in my Instant Pot and took home a practically empty pot. I for sure will be making this again!!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        November 07, 2022 at 11:35 am

        Fantastic to hear Dee!! Love it!!

        Reply
    12. Sean says

      January 09, 2023 at 9:18 am

      5 stars
      I've followed this recipe for two neighborhood chili cook-offs, and I have to say that its been a major hit. The first time I used Carolina Reapers instead of Jalapenos and those who like spicy chili were blown away with how good it was. Unfortunately, it was a bit too hot for those who prefer less heat, so I lost in a tiebreak. This year I made the same chili but went back to Jalapenos, and only included a few seeds to make it more appealing to the masses, and this time it won! I think I could have added a few more seeds as it had almost no heat, but the flavor was undeniable. I'll be making this chili for years to come!

      Reply
      • Colleen says

        January 12, 2023 at 11:49 am

        That's amazing Sean! I personally like it spicy, but I get that many don't. Lately I have taken to adding (in addition to the jalapenos) a large dried Guadillo pepper for added depth of flavor. AND stay tuned! Very soon I am posting a vegetarian version of this, I was tinkering and CAN NOT believe the deep amazing flavor that resulted!!! This may be my new favorite "chili"! Thanks for your comment and stars!!

        Reply

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