Classic Chili

Coffee and beer give this classic chili recipe a mouthwatering depth of flavor! Let it simmer all day for an easy-to-make dinner that your family will love.

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword Mama's Old Fashion Chili, no beans chili recipes

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 3

Total Time 3 10

Servings -8 servings

Calories 940kcal

Author Kathleen

Ingredients

2-4 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds ground beef 80/20
1 1/2 cups yellow onion diced
2 red bell peppers diced
2 jalapeno peppers stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
10 cloves garlic chopped
1/2 tablespoon salt
2 (12-ounce) bottles dark beer
1 cup strong brewed coffee
4 (15-ounce) cans pinto beans drained a bit
2 (14.5-ounces) cans petite diced tomatoes
1 (12-ounce) can tomato paste
1 (4-ounce) can Ortega chiles chopped
3 tablespoons dried chili powder
1/2 tablespoon smoked paprika
2 tablespoons dried ground cumin
1 1/2 tablespoons salt
1 teaspoon black pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Brown ground beef in a dutch oven in 1 tablespoon olive oil until most of the pink is gone; remove to a plate and set aside.
Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and saute onion (1 1/2 cups) for about 2 minutes. Add red peppers (2) and continue to cook until soft. Add jalapeno (2) and garlic (10 cloves) and saute for about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt and cooked beef (1 1/2 pounds) to the pan and heat through.
Add beer (2 bottles) and coffee (1 cup) and stir up any brown bits on the bottom and sides of the pan.
Add all the rest of the ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 3 hours or until chili is at the desired thickness. Cool and refrigerate overnight. Bring chili to a simmer and serve. Yum!

Notes

Dark Beer: Chili is all about those deep, developed flavors, and what more developed flavors can you get than in beer? Grab your favorite dark beer — or, if you don't have one, use a stout — and once you taste the final result, you'll never make chili without it again! This is the secret ingredient that a lot of award-winning chili victors swear by. The alcohol burns off, leaving no recognizable beer flavor — just depth and richness.
Coffee: Don’t skip this secret ingredient — it makes all the difference! Cooking with coffee adds a rich, earthy depth that brings out the best in your spices and beef. You can use brewed or instant coffee (even decaf works!). If you’re curious, this Epicurious article shares more ways to use coffee in savory dishes — but trust me, you’ll be amazed at what it does for chili.
Beef: This classic chili recipe is a BEEF chili recipe! I use 80/20.

Nutrition