The Easiest Way to Win Your Tailgate
A hearty chili is my favorite thing to scarf as soon as the weather hints that you need a scarf. A true gateway food to soup season, this filling chili has a mild but lingering spice level and a couple no longer secret ingredients that make Game Day Chili a Sunday staple.
That’s a Lot of Game Day Chili!
This recipe makes 7 quarts of chili, enough for 18 one and half cup servings. That’s a lot of chili, but don’t let that scare you. This dish is just as simple to share, store, and half batch as it is to prepare.
Store It
One of the best things about chili is that it is probably better after a night in the refrigerator. Package up your leftovers, refrigerate, and enjoy Game Day Chili on hotdogs, tater tots, or nachos for the next few days. The chili should keep for a few days in the fridge and a few months in the freezer. I like to freeze chili in individual portions and defrost just enough for myself and guests on cozy winter evenings.
Half It
This recipe can easily be cut in half and prepared the exact same way. Nine servings will disappear before you can say the word leftover. Simply reduce the amount of each ingredient by 1/2 and you are on your way without any confusing conversions or hold ups
Share It
The best way to eat a lot of food is with a lot of mouths. If you have a crowd don’t worry about having too much, this dish won’t last long. But for those smaller gatherings with lots of left overs, why not lift some spirits and give half to a friend? Nothing says “I care” without actually saying anything like the gift of food. So don’t be stingy and call on an old pal.
Secret Ingredients in Game Day Chili?
Game Day Chili contains two ingredients you wont see in many traditional chilis: apple cider vinegar and 70% cocoa dark chocolate. This isn’t just for the sake of being weird, each ingredient adds to the dish in a different way
Apple Cider Vinegar
When added to tomato based dishes, a small amount of apple cider vinegar can make a big impact on the depth of the dish’s flavor. In Game Day Chili, the vinegar makes the flavor bright and well rounded. If you have a chili recipe that you like to use and find that the final flavor is flat, this is what you were missing.
70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is added to offset acidity and add rich earthy tones to the dish’s flavor profile. Unsweetened chocolates are often cited as the secret ingredient in the best chili recipes, including this one. If you are unable to find 70% cocoa dark chocolate, you can feel free to use a tablespoon of semi-sweet baking chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder as a substitute.
Game Day Chili
Ingredients
- 2 Pounds Ground Beef
- 1 Pound Bulk Italian Sausage
- 3 15 Ounce Can Red Kidney Beans Drained
- 1 15 Ounce Can Red Kidney Beans in Spicy Sauce
- 2 28 Ounce Cans Diced Tomatoes with liquid
- 1 6 Ounce Can Tomato Paste
- 1 Large Yellow Onion Chopped
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper Chopped and Seeded
- 1 Red Bell Pepper Chopped and Seeded
- 3 Stalks Celery Chopped
- 1 Jalapeno Chopped and Seeded
- 1/2 Cup Beer
- 1/4 Cup Chili Powder
- 4 Cubes Beef Bouillon
- 2 Tbsp Hot Sauce (Franks)
- 1 Tbsp Bacon Bits
- 1 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tbsp Dried Oregano
- 2 Tsp Ground Cumin
- 1 Tsp Dried Basil
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 Tsp Paprika
- 1 Tsp White Sugar
- 1 Square 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate
Instructions
- In a large stock pot, brown and crumble ground beef and italian sausage over medium to medium high heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Add all other ingredients to the stock pot. Stir to mix, then cover. Simmer over low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and serve in bowls. Top with cheddar cheese and corn chips (Fritos).
- Refrigerate or freeze leftovers
Chili is nom tastic!