Bob's Little-Known, Less-Cared-About Chili

Bob's beef chili with bacon is savory, smoky, and easy to make. Serve with cornbread muffins on the side for a meal that will satisfy the whole family.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 20 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 516 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups water
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or to taste
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 3 (15.5 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 0.25 cup chili powder
• 0.5 pound thick-cut bacon, chopped

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Cook onion and bacon together in a large pot over medium heat until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, garlic, and cumin; cook and stir until beef is completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes.

Step 2

Stir in water, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, liquid smoke, salt, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce; bring to a simmer and cook until thick, about 1 hour. Skim excess grease if desired.