Dad’s Award-Winning Secret Ingredient Chili Recipe
Dad’s Award Winning Secret Ingredient Chili is a hearty, flavorful chili recipe that combines ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and unique additions like semi-sweet chocolate and coffee grounds to create a rich, complex taste. Slow-simmered for three hours, this chili is perfect for family gatherings or cozy meals, delivering a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 lbs ground beef
Vegetables & Beans
- 2 28 oz cans diced tomatoes
- 1 15.5 oz can dark red kidney beans
- 1 can black beans
- 1 can sweet corn kernels, drained
- 1 tsp dried chopped onion
Seasonings & Additions
- 1 can MILD Bush’s chili starter
- 1 pkg chili seasoning mix
- 1 oz semi sweet chocolate
- 1 tbsp coffee grounds
- 1/2–1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
Liquids
- 1 12 oz can (or bottle) lager style beer
Instructions
- Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the ground beef and cook it while stirring frequently to break up the meat. Continue browning until the beef is fully cooked through. Once cooked, strain off any excess grease and return the beef to the pot.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Pour in the two cans of diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, sweet corn, dried chopped onion, MILD Bush’s chili starter, chili seasoning mix, semi-sweet chocolate, coffee grounds, garlic powder, sugar, and the lager beer. Stir thoroughly to evenly combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the Chili: Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low or medium-low so the chili is gently simmering. Cover the pot partially if desired, and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. During cooking, add water or beef broth if the chili becomes too thick for your preference.
- Serve: After simmering, ladle the chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, or fresh cilantro, as desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- Using semi-sweet chocolate and coffee grounds adds a unique depth and richness to the chili’s flavor.
- If you prefer a spicier chili, consider using a spicy chili starter instead of mild.
- Simmering for a full 3 hours allows flavors to fully meld and intensify.
- Adjust thickness by adding water or broth during simmering if needed.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the chili seasoning mix and beer are gluten-free.
Keywords: chili, ground beef chili, secret ingredient chili, chocolate chili, coffee chili, slow simmer chili, hearty chili, comfort food
