Healthier Boilermaker Tailgate Chili

This chili has always been great during football season--and the rest of the year! But I like to make it a little healthier by reducing the fat and sodium content. Sprinkle with red onion, cilantro or diced avocado (optional).

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 2 hr
• Total Time: 2 hr 30 mins
• Calories: 474 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• ¼ cup chili powder
• ½ cup beer
• 2 pounds extra-lean ground beef
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 3 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans in spicy sauce
• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice
• 2 green chile peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®)
• 1 pound chicken sausage, casings removed
• 3 cups baked tortilla chips

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Crumble ground beef and chicken sausage into a large stock pot over medium-high heat; cook and stir until evenly browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain excess grease.

Step 2

Pour in chili beans, spicy chili beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Add onion, celery, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, chile peppers, and beer. Season with chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, oregano, cumin, hot pepper sauce, basil, salt, ground pepper, cayenne, paprika, and sugar. Stir to blend, then cover and simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for at least 2 hours.

Step 3

Taste and adjust salt, ground pepper, and chili powder in necessary, after 2 hours. Ladle into bowls and top with baked tortilla chips to serve.