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The Best Chili recipe starts off with beef and beans in a rich sauce is loaded with amazing flavor! That’s perfect for tailgating, game day, or when you’re feeding a crowd. Simmered for hours, its comfort food at its BEST.
Last weekend, I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride! I had chopped, cooked, and tasted chili for several days. The reason? I’d entered a Chili Challenge sponsored by our local Farmers Market. It’s a great event that brings together vendors with community partners and all money raised benefits the market. And had two great partners, Charles Sheppard from Sir Charles Gourmet BBQ Sauces and Tommy Neese from Neese’s Country Sausage so I was feeling pretty good about going up against some formidable competitors.
During my prep week, I’d made several different batches of chili and called on a few special taste testers to weigh in on my recipe, and thank goodness, they knew what they were doing! The days were flying by and then, finally, on Thursday night, everything came together and I had the recipe perfected. Friends…all that hard work paid off – we WON!
I am thrilled to share this award-winning recipe with you! It might look complicated but I can assure you it’s not.
Ingredients For The Best Chili
- Ground Beef
- Hot Breakfast Sausage
- Chili Powder
- Poblano Pepper
- Celery
- Onion
- Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
- Concentrated Tomato Paste
- Crushed Tomatoes
- BBQ Sauce
- Spicy (Hot) BBQ Sauce
- Beer
- Beef Stock
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Balsamic Vinegar
- Honey
- Dark Red Kidney Beans
- Black Beans
Readers Love This Chili
Chef D, January 2018
Melissa, March 2018
Alice, October 2019
Don’t Forget The Toppings!
This hearty chili is great with all kinds of extra toppings. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Shredded Cheddar or Pepper Jack Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Fresh or Pickled Japapeños
- Hot Sauce
- Chopped Green Onions
- Tortilla Strips
- Chopped Red Onion
Can You Freeze This Chili?
You sure can! Just like my Creamy White Chicken Chili, this recipe is easy to freeze. After making the chili, let it cool then place it in a freezer-safe container with a lid. You can also put it in freezer-safe bags. Fill the bag, seal, and lay flat on a baking sheet. Once the chili freezes in the bag, it can be stored upright to save space in the freezer.
What To Serve With Award Winning Southern Soul Chili
- Sour Cream Corn Bread
- Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits
- Garlic Knots
- Quick And Easy Beer Bread
- Cheese Grits Casserole
- Instant Pot Garlic Herb Rice
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb hot sausage
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- ½ poblano pepper – chopped
- 2 stalks celery – chopped
- 1 medium onion – minced
- 2 tablespoons garlic – minced
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 4 oz tomato paste – canned or from tube
- 1 16 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup your favorite BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup your favorite Hot/Spicy BBQ sauce
- 12 oz lager Beer
- 1 cup beef stock
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 2 cans (15oz) dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can black beans rinsed and drained
Instructions
- In an extra-large stockpot or cast iron skillet, brown ground beef and sausage.
- Add chopped vegetables, except garlic, and cook until meats are cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Lower heat to medium.
- Add chili powder, tomatoes, tomato paste, and BBQ sauces to the pot, mixing well. Scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook for about 15 minutes stirring often.
- Stir in beer, beef broth, minced garlic, Worcestershire, vinegar, and honey. Stir to blend ingredients.
- Simmer for about 1.5 hours stirring frequently allowing chili flavors to marry. If sauce gets too thick, add water in ¼ cup amounts.
- Add beans and cook another 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste for seasoning and adjust.
- Serve with garnishes and extras – sour cream, scallions, grated cheese, hot sauce, jalapeños, hot cornbread.
Notes
- This recipe can be finished in the crock pot. Make chili sauce and put mixture in crock pot . Add beans and cook on low for 4 hours.
- Chili freezes well. Allow to cool, put in zip lock bags and lay flat in freezer for storage.
- You may purchase Sir Charles Gourmet BBQ Sauce from The Extra Ingredient in Greensboro, NC by calling toll free ~ 800-528-3618.
Love Comforting Soups, Stew, And Chilies?
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AMAZING! I was skeptical about using breakfast sausage, but I will use it in any chili recipe from here on out. Followed this recipe to a T and it’s by far my favorite!
Hey there Jennifer!
I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this recipe, I agree adding the breakfast sausage isn’t conventional but it really takes the flavor of this chili to the next level! Thank you so much for your kind words of support and your fantastic rating, if you ever have any questions about a recipe please don’t hesitate to ask!
~Donya
We made this for our church’s chili cookoff and won first place!! It is sooo delicious and all the flavors came together perfectly. Everyone loved it. We even beat long-time & seasoned chili cook-off winners! Thank you!!
Hey there Sara!
Wow! Congratulations that is fantastic news, I am beyond thrilled to hear that everyone enjoyed this recipe! If you enjoyed making this dish, you should check out my Hearty Turkey Chili recipe, it’s just as simple to prepare and the flavors are out of this world delicious! Thank you so much for your kind words and your phenomenal rating, I am so grateful for your support!
~Donya
Hi!
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe ! We have a Chili Cook off and Halloween Costume Contest every year at my hospital. I decided to enter this year. I was browsing for ideas to elevate my Turkey chili and ran across your recipe and decide to try it. I won 1st place!!!! I also won first place for my costume! This recipe is amazing! So much flavor! Thanks again for giving me the opportunity to experience winning!!
Hey there Angel!
Wow! Congratulations on winning your chili cookoff and costume contest, that is absolutely amazing news! I am so glad to hear that everyone enjoyed this recipe, it’s definitely a winner. Thank you so much for your kind words, your phenomenal rating and for sharing this experience, I really appreciate your support! If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
~Donya
Totally going to try this chili recipe! Could you tell me where those delicious looking corn muffins in the picture came from? I want some 😋
Hey there Jennifer!
Thank you so much for your interest in this chili recipe, it’s perfect to serve this time of year so I’m so glad to hear that you’re giving it a try! The corn muffins in these photos I believe came from the Fresh Market, but I actually have a recipe for Creamed Corn Cornbread Muffins that’s even better! Adding Creamed Corn into the cornbread muffins gives them a delicious flavor and a warm texture that’s irresistible, plus they’re ready to serve in just 30 minutes. Let me know how everything turns out if you give the recipes a try, I’d love to hear what you think!
~Donya
Thanks so much, I’ll give them both a try!
Hey there!
I am so happy to hear that you’re giving these recipes a try, they are a match made in heaven, I can’t think of a more perfect combination! Let me know if you have any other questions, I’d be more than happy to help!
~Donya
I used the Jimmy Deans hot sausage in the breakfast meat section. Is that ok or should I bought a different type?
Hey there Samantha!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re really going to love this Chili! You can absolutely use the Jimmy Deans spicy sausage that would be delicious, it’ll give a little kick to the chili. Let me know if you have any other questions, I’d be more than happy to help, I hope you enjoy the recipe!
~Donya
No matter how many times I have made this recipe, I swear it gets better every time I do! It’s a perfect recipe that comes together fast. Prep work is actually fun. Thank you!
Hey there Christine!
Wow! I am so happy to hear that you like this recipe, I totally agree with you that the prep for this chili is fun to do, it’s such an easy recipe so I’m thrilled that you’ve been enjoying it as well! Thank you so much for your kind words and your fantastic rating, I really appreciate all your support!
~Donya
Going to try this tonight, getting hungry just reading it, and I just had breakfast!
Hey there!
I am so happy to hear you’re going to give this recipe a try! I might be a little biased but I really do think it’s the BEST chili recipe out there. If you have any questions I’d be more than happy to help, I hope you enjoy!
~Donya
I am making this recipe on Sunday. What is your thought on using chicken instead of beef and sausage? Should I substitute chicken broth? However, would the rest of the ingredients work?
Hey there Melissa!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe, I think you’re really going to love it! I’ve actually never made this chili with chicken, but it’s definitely worth a try, I think the other ingredients would definitely be compatible. You can use chicken stock if you’d like, but I also think you can just use beef stock if that’s easier, whatever you have on hand should work just fine. Let me know how everything turns out if you give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think!
~Donya
Thank you for the great chilli recipe!! Made this for our fair days chilli cook off and won first!!! Cooked it the night before and threw it in the slow cooker. The only thing I found was it was a little watery… if you know what I mean… not as thick as I usually make, wonder if it’s because I finished it in the slow cooker.. but still came out first! And hubby loves it too so it will take place of his long time mothers recipe that I’ve been making.. thank you!!
Hey there Darla!
My goodness, reading this comment has made my day! I am so happy to hear that y’all enjoyed this recipe and won first place, that’s incredible! Thank you so much for your kind words and your great rating, I really appreciate your support. If you ever have any questions about a recipe please don’t hesitate to reach out and ask!
~Donya
Thank you so much for this phenomenal chili recipe! I just won our church chili cook off with it today.
Hey there Carey!
WOW! Oh my goodness you’ve made my day! That is absolutely incredible to hear, I am so glad that everyone enjoyed this recipe. Thank you so much for your support, it means the world! If you ever have any questions about a recipe, please don’t hesitate to ask!
~Donya
We had a college wide chili cook off and we WON with this recipe!! We used andouille sausage and added various spices with love. This recipe is AMAZING. We also served it with home made cheddar jalapeño corn bread…absolutely the best thing I have ever made.
WHAT? WOW!! Lydia, you have made my day.
Congratulations on the win, and I’m thrilled to be a little part of all this happiness. The combination of the chili and the corn bread sounds delicious. I am over here just smiling and giggling at how awesome this is.
Thank you so much for sharing AND for making my chili recipe.
❤️
Wondering if you can share the recipe for those corn biscuits in the picture?
Hey there Annie!
Thank you so much for your interest in this recipe and your fantastic rating, that’s a great question. I do not currently have a corn biscuit recipe on my site, but I do have a Southern Style Cast Iron Corn Bread recipe that I’ll link below. Thank you for your support, I hope you have a great day!
https://www.asouthernsoul.com/southern-cornbread-in-cast-iron/
~Donya
Thanks Donya, made your chili recipe- hands down the best and a crowd pleaser. My nephews ask for this every time the come to visit.
Hey there Annie!
Oh my goodness, that truly warms my heart to hear, I am so happy that you and your family have enjoyed this recipe! If you like this recipe you should check out my Bloody Mary Chili recipe, it’s just as delicious but it has a bit of a different flavor combination. I really appreciate your kind words and your support, if you ever have any questions feel free to reach out!
~Donya
FANTASTIC CHILI RECIPE!!! Thank you, Donya! Best chili ever! Followed your recipe and the results were great!
Hey there Christine!
Wow! Thank you so much for you sweet words and this phenomenal rating, I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe! This Southern Soul Chili is always a hit, and if you enjoyed this recipe, you should check out my Homerun Hot Dog Chili. Thank you for your support, have a great day!
~Donya
Donya, another hit recipe! Thank you so much! I made it, refrigerated it, and WOW, next day even better!
Hey there Christine!
Thank you so much for your phenomenal rating and your kind words! I completely agree, this Chili makes for fantastic leftovers, I am so glad you enjoyed. Thank you so much for your support, I hope you have a phenomenal day!
~Donya
This was really good! We used a caroline bbq sauce and it was a little tangy, next time I’d use something a bit more smokey as I think it would be better flavor profile. We did make one change because we doubled the recipe and didn’t have two lbs of ground beef we used one of ground bison and it just turned me from beef to bison, I’ll never make chili with just beef again. I’d recommend anyone to use some bison in there and to be very selective in the bbq sauce you use.
Hey there Andrea!
Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m glad you liked the recipe! If you’re not a fan of the vinegar based Carolina BBQ sauce, you should give my “Dr. Pepper BBQ Sauce” a try, it’s nice and sweet but it adds a great flavor profile to the Chili. Also, adding the bison sounds like a great idea, I’ll have to try it! Thanks for your comment, I hope you have a great day!
~Donya
Just wondering how important the sausage is to the recipe. Would it be not as good with just double the beef? I have family members that don’t eat pork.
Hey Tommy.
Sure, you can double the beef and the recipe will work out great. Thank you so much for the great rating!
Enjoy,
~Donya
Hey! This looks delicious, however I can’t have red meat–how would it taste with sub of Ground Turkey and turkey sausage? Thanks so much in advance.
Hey Chelsea.
Yep, you can sub out for turkey. I think the chili will turn out great. Keep me posted!
Have a wonderful weekend,
~Donya
Great chili, my only modification was adding a hot Georgia pepper whole, but removed before serving. Even my pickie brother loved it.
WOW! I love it, CC!
Thank you for the rating and I’m thrilled your brother loved the chili. It’s always fun when things like that work out.
Have a wonderful day!
~Donya
In the ingredients it lists BBQ sauce but in the instructions there is no mention of bbq sauce
Hey Scott.
I adjusted the instruction to state BBQ sauce instead of just sauce. I hope this helps.
Have a great day!
~Donya
Great recipe. Changed it up a bit by adding my Italian influence, nduja sausages along with unsliced Italian sausages. Tastes amazing! Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Mia!
Yay I’m so thrilled you liked it and made it your own! Thanks for the support!
~Donya
I learned the hard way that you should be careful about the BBQ sauce. I used Newman’s Own, which is real high in sugar. It made the chili too sweet. Next time I will choose a souce with much less sugar and I believe that the chili will be great.
I hear you, George. Sorry that you had to go through this with the sauce. Yes, use one with not so sweet and you’ll be in business.
Keep me posted!
Have a great weekend,
~Donya
I love to make chili and have used various recipes over the years. This is by far the best one. The flavors in this chili are amazing … all the ingredients really come together to make the PERFECT chili. Will never use another recipe for chili in my life!
Thank you so much, Bethann!
I am thrilled you like the recipe.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend,
~Donya