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My Favorite Chili Recipe

January 8, 2019 by Keri 14 Comments

Thank you Vanity Fair® Napkins for sponsoring this post. Take on everyday messes with Vanity Fair® Extra Absorbent Napkins!

Nothing is more comforting during the winter than a warm, messy bowl of chili! Everyone has a favorite way of making chili and this is mine. 

Chili is a wintertime classic. It’s full of warm spices, fun toppings, and is ultra comforting. Everyone seems to have their favorite recipe, and today I’m sharing mine.

I’ve spent years searching for a go-to chili recipe. And if it weren’t for my chili-loving husband, I probably would have given up on finding that perfect recipe. Chili has never been a favorite of mine – no matter what recipe I tried, I would always be left a little disappointed.

Until NOW!

The funny thing is, the inspiration for this chili has been right under my nose in an old family recipe book. With the internet and Pinterest, I hardly ever look in my recipe cabinet, but I went on an organizing spree last month (totally nesting) and stumbled across the old book. It’s actually a diary dated 1941 and in it are pages filled with all kinds of handwritten recipes.

A few pages in, I saw a simple chili con carne recipe and knew I had to try it! Of course I had to add my own spin on it, but something told me it was going to be a winner.

The original recipe included ground beef, onions, spices, kidney beans, and tomato juice. I added bacon and jalapeños, but otherwise left everything else the same. It’s a really simple recipe and I think that’s why it’s so darn good!

Chili, while delicious, can get pretty darn messy. It’s one of those dishes that has always required a bunch of napkins, or skipping the napkin all together and going right for a paper towel.

Luckily, Vanity Fair® has come up with the perfect solution… extra absorbent napkins!

Vanity Fair® Extra Absorbent Napkins are the perfect accompaniment to messy mealtimes. They are thick, soft, and look great too! I don’t know about you, but when I’m entertaining I always like to have nice napkins on my table. No more (embarrassingly) folding up paper towels to look like napkins!

I decided the ultimate test for Vanity Fair® Extra Absorbent Napkins was my husband, Kyle. One of my favorite things to do during the winter is eat dinner by the fire. I can almost guarantee a mess with Kyle eating anywhere other than a table. I’m not sure what it is, but he always makes a mess – especially with chili!

Vanity Fair® Extra Absorbent Napkins held up perfectly to the chili and Kyle’s beard. NO shredded napkins here!

I can’t completely throw the hubs under the bus when it comes to messes since I spilled some of the chili while I was ladling it into bowls. But yet again, Vanity Fair® Extra Absorbent Napkins were up to the challenge!

These surprisingly absorbent napkins were perfect for wiping the mess!

It’s time to rethink the napkin and stop using paper towels at mealtimes! Vanity Fair® Extra Absorbent Napkins are the perfect solution to contain the messes while still keeping things classy.

Now that I’ve found my favorite chili recipe (and the perfect napkin!), it’s going to become a staple in my meal rotation. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Print
My Favorite Chili Recipe
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
2 hrs
Total Time
2 hrs 20 mins
 
Nothing is more comforting during the winter than a warm, messy bowl of chili! Everyone has a favorite way of making chili and this is mine.
Ingredients
For the Chili:
  • 2 Slices Thick-Cut Bacon, chopped
  • 1 lb. Ground Beef
  • 1 Large Onion< diced
  • 4 Large Garlic Cloves, finely minced
  • 2 Jalapenos*, chopped
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
  • ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 2 Tablespoons Ancho Chili Powder*
  • 1 Teaspoon Cumin
  • ¼-½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper, to taste
  • 2 Cans Kidney Beans
  • 2 Cups Tomato Juice
For Serving:
  • Grated Cheddar Cheese
  • Cilantro or Scallions
  • Sturdy Chips Tortilla Chips or Corn Chips
Instructions
  1. Cook the bacon in a 4-6 quart dutch oven over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate (leaving the bacon fat in the pot) and set aside.
  2. Add the ground beef and onion to the hot pot and leave it untouched for a few minutes to get some color on the beef. (I do this in two batches in a 4 quart pot, so half the beef and half the onions, then remove and repeat with the remaining beef and onions).
  3. Remove the beef and onions to a bowl, leaving any fat behind in the pot. Add the garlic and jalapenos to the pot and sauté for a minute or until fragrant. Stir in the salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Allow the spices to toast for 30 seconds to 1 minute before adding the beef/onion mixture back to the pot. Mix well.
  4. Stir in the kidney beans and tomato juice, making sure to mix well to get everything combined.
  5. Bring the chili to a low simmer and then reduce the heat to low, cover, and allow it to simmer for at least 45 minutes or up to 2 hours*.
  6. Serve the chili with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Recipe Notes

*I leave the seeds and ribs in the jalapenos as we like added heat to the chili. You can certainly remove them for a mild chili.

 

*Ancho chili powder is preferred over “chili powder” as it’s pure ancho chili powder and gives the best flavor. Spices labeled chili powder are typically a mixture of spices. If you can’t find ancho chili powder, use the same amount of chili powder, but omit the cumin.

 

*Chili is best when made ahead and allowed to sit overnight in the fridge. It’s certainly tasty after simmering, but the next day it’s always better after the flavors have time to meld. If possible make it the day before you want to serve and then just heat it up on the stove before serving!

You May Also Enjoy:

  • Spiced Chicken Tacos
    Spiced Chicken Tacos
  • Salmon Piccata
    Salmon Piccata
  • Sausage Stuffed Peppers
    Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Filed Under: Comfort Food, Dairy-Free, Dinner, Gluten-Free, Make Ahead, Meat & Poultry, Soups

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Lovely comments

  1. Mary says

    January 9, 2019 at 5:12 pm

    I did a Chili Cook Off over 5 years ago and man it was fun. My Chili didn’t win any prizes but man was it good. Since then I’ve been a huge fan of chili and your recipe looks scrumptious. I also love the addition of jalapeños, 🙂

    Reply
  2. Mitchelle says

    January 15, 2019 at 8:22 am

    Wow! I had never thought of making my own bowl of chili before. I always preferred the store bought “canned chilis” I review on my site. But your recipe sound so yummy. I am definitely going to give it a try and I will get back to you with the outcome.

    I hope I will nail it! and it comes out just like yours.

    Thanks for this recipe and please keep sharing.

    Cheers
    Mitchelle recently posted…A Review on the Healthiest Canned ChiliMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Kyra Rodriguez says

    January 25, 2019 at 1:38 am

    OMGGG! I need to make this. I love chili!! Thanks for sharing this recipe!!!!!
    Kyra Rodriguez recently posted…New Year Dishes and Desserts RecipesMy Profile

    Reply
  4. eatfrysmith says

    June 17, 2019 at 8:30 pm

    Really admire your talent. I cooked this dish yesterday, very delicious. I was praised by many people after the party. Really very happy and feel motivated
    eatfrysmith recently posted…Best Smoker Grill Combo Reviews 2019My Profile

    Reply
    • identiconKeri says

      June 22, 2019 at 3:36 pm

      I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you 😊

      Reply
  5. Hannah Flack says

    March 17, 2020 at 5:40 am

    I love to use my crock pot year round. In the winter for comfort foods and in the summer because it is just too darn hot here most of the time. But I still enjoy a good soup during the summer and I’m bound to find one here!
    Hannah Flack recently posted…Streamline Your Business Operations with These Great TipsMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Kinnaur says

    April 13, 2020 at 5:19 am

    Very Nice Article ! Thanks for sharing valuable information and information about this breakfast.

    click the link for more about information the orgenic product. like Kala Zeera & Chulli Oil

    Reply
  7. Matthew Fridley says

    June 12, 2020 at 11:36 pm

    Now it is my favorite chili recipe.
    Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
    I love it
    Matthew Fridley recently posted…How to Use a Soaker Hose | The Best Guide You Need to FollowMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Tania Mushtaq says

    December 8, 2020 at 10:56 am

    very informative article. And also very easy and delicious recipe that you shared. thank you for sharing tasty recipes

    Reply
  9. Carter says

    August 5, 2021 at 7:41 am

    Awww! Love chili 🙂 This recipe is going to save on my list. Thanks for sharing the amazing recipe.

    Reply
  10. Philip says

    September 12, 2021 at 1:46 pm

    This recipe looks so tasty and healthy. Thank you for sharing such delicious content.

    Reply
  11. Denisa says

    May 24, 2022 at 4:15 am

    Keri, thanks for the recipe for your favorite chili! I do mine with black beans, I just love the contrast it created. I didn’t know about those napkins, I have to check it out to see if I can find some for the messy people in my house.
    Denisa recently posted…Best Substitutes for Paneer: Vegetarian & Vegan OptionsMy Profile

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Easy Chicken Enchiladas - Fashionable Foods says:
    February 27, 2019 at 11:51 am

    […] me. This is what helps get a more authentic flavor in my opinion and it’s what I use in my chili recipe! This spice is pretty easy to find in most major grocery […]

    Reply
  2. One Pot Salsa Verde Chicken and Rice - Fashionable Foods says:
    April 24, 2019 at 2:26 pm

    […] Spring around here is a mix of nice spring days, hot summer-like days, and a few dreary cold days thrown in. For example, it was 80 degrees yesterday and tomorrow the high is 63. One day we’re outside grilling and the next inside making chili. […]

    Reply

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I'm Keri: the passionate foodie behind the blog. I created Fashionable Foods to share fresh, homemade food with a creative twist. I live in Delaware with my husband Kyle, our son Nolan, and cat Basil. Favorite things include beach days, wine, and popcorn.
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