This Chili Wins First Place Every Time

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is lower in fat, while ground pork is often cheaper.

kidney beans

🥗Healthier: black beans

💰Cheaper: pinto beans

Black beans are more nutritious, while pinto beans are usually less expensive.

Cut up 5 strips of bacon and cook over medium heat until crisp.

Remove bacon from the pot and place on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 1.5-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pot.

Add 1 chopped red bell pepper and 1 cup chopped yellow onion to the bacon grease and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

Make space in the pot and add 3-4 minced cloves of garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pot and cook until 50% browned, breaking it up as it cooks.

Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder, 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 0.75 teaspoon black pepper, 0.5 teaspoon table salt, and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper; mix well.

Add 1/4 cup tomato paste and caramelize slightly before mixing in with the rest of the ingredients.

Add a 15-ounce can of dark red kidney beans (rinsed and drained) and a 15-ounce can of black beans; mix well.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: