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Award Winning Southern Soul Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 143 reviews

This Award Winning Southern Soul Chili features a hearty blend of ground beef and hot sausage simmered with smoky chilies, savory spices, robust BBQ sauces, and lager beer, creating a rich and flavorful chili that is perfect for any occasion. Enhanced by tender vegetables and a mix of dark red kidney and black beans, this chili offers a deep, comforting taste with a classic Southern soul twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb hot sausage

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1/2 poblano pepper, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, minced
  • 2 tablespoons garlic, minced

Spices & Seasonings

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper

Canned & Condiments

  • 4 oz tomato paste (canned or from tube)
  • 1 16 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup favorite BBQ Sauce
  • 1/2 cup favorite Hot/Spicy BBQ sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar

Liquids

  • 12 oz lager beer
  • 1 cup beef stock

Beans

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meats: In an extra-large stockpot or cast iron skillet, brown the ground beef and hot sausage over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally until fully cooked and browned.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped poblano pepper, celery, and minced onion (reserve garlic for later). Cook until the meats are cooked through and the vegetables become tender, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Reduce Heat: Lower the heat to medium to prepare for simmering the chili mixture.
  4. Add Spices and Sauces: Stir in the chili powder, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and both BBQ sauces thoroughly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently to blend flavors.
  5. Incorporate Liquids and Flavorings: Mix in the lager beer, beef stock, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and honey or sugar. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
  6. Simmer the Chili: Allow the chili to simmer gently for approximately 1.5 hours, stirring often. If the chili thickens too much, add water in 1/4 cup increments to maintain desired consistency.
  7. Add Beans and Final Cook: Stir in the rinsed and drained kidney beans and black beans. Continue cooking for an additional 30 minutes, stirring frequently to let flavors meld. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  8. Serve: Serve hot, garnished with optional extras such as sour cream, scallions, grated cheese, hot sauce, jalapeños, or alongside hot cornbread for a complete Southern soul meal.

Notes

  • Adjust the amount of hot/spicy BBQ sauce according to your heat preference for a milder or spicier chili.
  • If you prefer a thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered for longer, or add less liquid during cooking.
  • The use of lager beer adds a subtle maltiness; a dark beer can be substituted for a richer flavor.
  • This chili can also be made a day ahead as the flavors deepen overnight and it’s excellent for leftovers.
  • For gluten-free preparation, verify that the BBQ sauces and Worcestershire sauce used are gluten-free.

Keywords: southern chili, soul food chili, ground beef chili, spicy chili recipe, BBQ chili, beef and sausage chili

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/award-winning-southern-soul-chili-recipe/