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Award Winning Southern Soul Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 99 reviews

This Award Winning Southern Soul Chili is a robust, flavorful dish featuring a hearty blend of ground beef and hot sausage, infused with smoky chili powder, poblano peppers, and a combination of BBQ sauces for a unique Southern twist. Slow-simmered with lager beer, beef stock, and beans, this chili develops deep, rich flavors perfect for satisfying chilly days or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Meats

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb hot sausage

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 1/2 poblano pepper, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced

Spices & Seasonings

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar

Tomatoes & Sauces

  • 4 oz tomato paste (canned or from tube)
  • 1 16 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup your favorite hot/spicy BBQ sauce

Liquids

  • 12 oz lager beer
  • 1 cup beef stock

Beans

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meats: In an extra-large stockpot or cast iron skillet, brown the ground beef and hot sausage over medium-high heat until fully cooked, breaking up the meat as it browns.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped poblano pepper, celery, and minced onion to the pot (except garlic) and cook until the vegetables are tender and the meats are cooked through, stirring occasionally.
  3. Lower Heat: Reduce the heat to medium to prepare for simmering.
  4. Add Spice and Sauces: Stir in chili powder, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and both BBQ sauces. Mix well, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring often to blend flavors.
  5. Incorporate Liquids and Seasonings: Add lager beer, beef stock, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and honey (or sugar). Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
  6. Simmer the Chili: Allow the chili to simmer gently for approximately 1.5 hours, stirring frequently to deepen flavors and prevent sticking. If the sauce thickens too much, add water in 1/4 cup increments to maintain desired consistency.
  7. Add Beans: Stir in the kidney beans and black beans. Continue cooking for another 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or spices as needed.
  8. Serve: Dish out the chili into bowls and garnish with your choice of sour cream, scallions, grated cheese, hot sauce, jalapeños, or serve alongside hot cornbread for an authentic Southern meal.

Notes

  • Use lager beer to add depth of flavor without overpowering the chili.
  • Adjust the spiciness by choosing milder or hotter BBQ sauces according to preference.
  • Simmering long and slow helps meld and intensify the complex flavors.
  • If you prefer a thicker chili, reduce the liquid slightly; for thinner, add more beef stock or water.
  • For a gluten-free version, ensure that the BBQ sauces and Worcestershire sauce used are gluten-free.

Keywords: Southern chili recipe, soul food chili, chili with sausage, BBQ chili, hearty chili, red bean chili, spicy chili, comfort food chili

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/award-winning-southern-soul-chili-recipe/