Whether it is on a crisp fall game day or on an evening when snow blankets the ground, nothing is better than a big pot of my favorite homemade chili! You want to start making this chili recipe early in the afternoon so it has time to slowly simmer all day long. It will fill your home with the most delicious spicy scent- adding to the anticipation of our favorite family dinners!
This was a recipe given to me several years ago by my friend's husband (who would concoct this chili to enjoy while watching football, but didn't really know how to write it all down as a real recipe!) and over the years I have modified it to fit our family's preferences.
This chili has a base of both ground beef and sausage- and I think that it is the combination of the two that makes it so yumma-licious! So you'll need to start by browning the ground beef in a big soup pot.
And while the ground beef is doing its thing in the soup pot, you can get down to some serious chopping.
And let me just suggest- if you are ever invited to one of those Pampered Chef parties- and you feel as if you can't leave without buying something because you sat at the host's house eating her canapés and throwing back a few of her fabulous margaritas… well the thing to buy is the Pampered Chef food chopper This is an affiliate link: MomOf6 earns a commission if you purchase, at no additional cost to you. .
Sure- it will set you back about $40, but let me tell you- there is something so downright soulfully satisfying about using that gizmo to chop the heck out of meats and veggies into tasty little morsels. Of course, all of that chopping is a little loud- so you might not want to do while the family is in the next room trying to catch the big game, or when the baby is napping!
And what are we chopping? Well, the cooked breakfast sausage patties for starters. I first prepare it in the microwave according to the instructions on the package and then chop it all up into little bits. Next, I dice the green peppers and onion.
By this point, your ground beef should be nice and browned. Drain any excess grease, and return it to the soup pot.
Add your chopped goodies to the ground beef along with this line up of zestiness:
Mix all of that in really well. Then add 1 tablespoon of chili powder. We'll ease more in over time as we allow our chili to simmer sloooowly.
Put a lid on the pot, and turn the heat down low, low, low, and allow the flavors to begin to meld together. The key is to cook it nice and slow, lifting the lid every 30 minutes or so to sprinkle in another 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder and stir it lovingly.
As you breathe in the simmering goodness, make sure that your chili has a fair amount of liquid in the pot. You don't want to cook it until it is dry, so make sure that there is always a nice amount of liquid in the pot- adding a little more beer or water if there isn't enough.
And in the last 1/2 hour of cooking time, add in the red kidney beans (drained). Stir well.
Now this is the kind of dish that gets better if you let it sit and rest for a little while before serving. It allows those flavors to continue to build together, so feel free to just turn the heat off on the stove about 30 minutes before you plan to serve your chili. (Also, if you have any chili leftover- it tastes even yummier the second day!)
You'll want to serve your chili with some shredded cheddar cheese and a handful of crunchy crackers (I love these Club minis!) Oh, and of course, a bottle of your favorite ice-cold beer. The perfect accompaniment.
- 2 lbs of ground beef
- 1 lb of cooked breakfast sausage patties
- 2 green peppers
- 1 medium-sized onion
- 1 bottle of beer
- 3 tablespoons Worchestershire Sauce
- 24 oz jar of tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons of minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- 3-4 tablespoons of chili powder
- 2 cans red kidney beans
- Start by browning 2 lbs of ground beef in a big soup pot, drain and return to the large soup pot.
- Prepare the breakfast sausage patties in the microwave according to the instructions on the package, and then chop it all up into little bits.
- Dice the green peppers and onion and set aside.
- Add your chopped goodies to the ground beef (the sausage, green pepper, and onion) along with the beer, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, garlic, black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of chili powder.
- Put a lid on the pot and turn the heat down low to simmer, adding ½ tablespoon of chili powder every 30 minutes.
- In the last ½ hour of cooking time, add in 2 cans of red kidney beans (drained). Stir well.
Looking for More Recipes that Kids Will Actually Eat?
Then check out my Recipes page for breakfasts, dinners, desserts, and more that have been Rowley family approved!
Katy says
I was looking for a recipe to use up extra breakfast sausage and this was great! I used a jar of Prego as suggested instead of plain tomato sauce. I really thought it would need more liquid, but simmering with the lid on left a nice consistency. I was also skeptical how the breakfast sausage would taste in the chili, but everything blends together nicely. I bet it will be even better tomorrow but it’s really tasty after two hours simmering!
Linda says
Hi Sharon,
I made your Chili recipe for the first time last week and it was so delicious. I added about a little more then a teaspoon of brown sugar because I wanted it just a little milder.I used the 4 TBS. of chili powder maybe I should have used 3 TBS. instead. I gave some to my girlfriend and her husband and she said it was the best chili they ever had. Her husband loved that it was so meaty with the combined ground beef and sausage patties! Can’t wait to make it again soon! Thanks for the great recipe! 🙂
Sharon Rowley says
I love reading this! Thank you!
Erika says
What’s the total cook time? 6-8 hours?
Sharon Rowley says
You can cook the chili in as little as 2 hours- or as long as 10 hours…. whatever works for the time you have! But the longer it simmers- the deeper the flavors get! I also think it’s even better the next day as leftovers!
Tim Sienna says
Wow this looks delicious! I’m actually having a green smoothie now but I don’t see why I can’t prepare this delicious looking homemade chili ! Does it taste better with the crackers? I plan to eat them without the crackers though.
Anonymous says
I was just wondering how long you let this cook because you are adding 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder every 30 minutes according to your recipe? Please let me know
Darlene
Sharon says
I let it simmer for 2-3 hours.
Erica says
Hi Sharon! This chili looks great! Do you use pasta sauce or tomato sauce in this? The recipe says tomato, but the picture looks like pasta….just curious! Thanks!
Sharon says
Hi Erica!
You can actually use either…. but I prefer using a small jar of Ragu or Prego vs just plain tomato sauce! I hope you love it as much as I do! We are making it again this weekend to enjoy while watching the football playoffs!