Big Game Day Chili

The first time I tried this chili I was floored! It has wonderful flavors, and is very spicy and very addictive. If you don't like heat, adjust the ingredients. It's perfect at a football tailgate party or picnic. If you like a roasted flavor, bake the garlic before pressing it. For the beer, a hoppy pale ale works well, as does a dark stout. I've also experimented with adding a cup of coffee to the mix to give it a roasted coffee flavor. It also freezes well.

• Preparation Time: 45 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 544 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
• 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 2 (28 ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 orange bell pepper, chopped
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• 2 each yellow onions, chopped
• 1 head garlic, peeled and minced
• 2 pounds Italian sausage meat
• 4 slices applewood smoked bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 (14 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (7 ounce) can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
• 1 (12 fluid ounce) bottle dark beer
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
• ¼ cup crumbled dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh-ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt, or amount to taste
• 2 ½ ounces dark chocolate candy bar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat the oil in a large deep pot over medium-high heat, and stir in the onions, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook and stir until the onions are transparent, about 5 minutes. Add the beef stew meat, sausage, and bacon. Cook until meats are evenly browned. Drain the fat.

Step 2

Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, black beans, kidney beans, chipotle peppers with sauce, beef broth, beer, chili powder, oregano, pepper, salt, and chocolate. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for at least 1 hour; 2 hours is preferred.