Dad’s Hot Chili

As the weather becomes colder, there is nothing quite like a good bowl of chili to keep you warm. Chili is a great meal because of its flavor and versatility. You can use a variety of meats including steak, chicken, ground turkey, pork, or ground beef to name a few. You can also select from a variety of toppings including onion, corn chips, sour cream, shredded cheese, jalapenos, and crackers.

This chili can be made either hot or mild. I made the hot version of this recipe for a chili cookoff and was awarded for the hottest chili. One who tasted my chili even nicknamed it “Pure hell in a crockpot”! What gives this chili its bite is hot Rotel, hot Pace Picante Sauce, and two cans of Bushes hot chili beans. If you want the mild version, simply use mild tomatoes and green chili, mild salsa, and regular chili beans.

This chili recipe comes out thick and hearty (the way I like it). If you prefer your chili to be more brothy, use an addition can of tomatoes along with tomato juice. Whatever your personal preference might be, you are sure to love this recipe for making great tasting chili.

Let’s gather our ingredients…

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. of ground beef
• 1 onion divided (1/2 for the ground beef; 1/2 for toppings)
• 2 1/2 tbsp of chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp of cumin
• 1 1/2 tsp of garlic powder
• 1 tbsp of onion powder
• 1 1/2 tsp of oregano
• 2 tsp of paprika
• 1 tsp of red pepper (your favorite hot sauce can be substituted)
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1 (16oz) jar of salsa (mild or hot depending upon your preference)
• 1 (14.5oz) can of diced tomatoes
• 1 can of tomatoes with green chilies (mild or hot Rotel is recommended)
• 2 cans of chili beans

Directions:

Step 1 – Mix all your dry ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside.

Step 2 – Brown the hamburger along with half the onion. Drain.

Step 3 – Add the dry ingredients to the hamburger and onion.

Step 4 – Add the salsa, canned tomatoes, and beans to the hamburger.

Step 5 – Continue heating to a boil. Let it rest for five to ten minutes and serve with your favorite toppings!

Note: If you desire to increase the heat of the chili, use hot Rotel, hot salsa, and two cans of Bushes hot chili beans. The longer the chili sits, the hotter it becomes.