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Southern Soul Chili Recipe

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  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Description

This Southern Soul Chili recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish combining ground beef and hot sausage with a rich blend of spices, poblano peppers, BBQ sauces, and beans. Slow-simmered with lager beer and beef stock, it offers a deep, smoky taste perfect for comforting meals. Serve with your favorite toppings for an authentic Southern soul food experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 lb hot sausage
  • ½ poblano pepper – chopped
  • 2 stalks celery – chopped
  • 1 medium onion – minced
  • 2 tablespoons garlic – minced

Spices and Sauces

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 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
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or sugar

Liquids

  • 12 oz lager beer
  • 1 cup beef stock

Beans

  • 2 cans (15 oz each) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

Instructions

  1. Brown the Meat: In an extra-large stockpot or cast iron skillet, brown the ground beef and hot sausage over medium-high heat until fully cooked, breaking the meat into crumbles as it cooks.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped poblano pepper, celery, and minced onion (excluding the garlic) to the pot. Cook with the meat until the vegetables become tender, and the meat is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
  3. Lower Heat for Simmering: Reduce the heat to medium to prepare for simmering the chili base.
  4. Add Spices and Sauces: Stir in chili powder, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and both BBQ sauces. Mix thoroughly, scraping any browned bits from the bottom to incorporate full flavor. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.
  5. Incorporate Liquids and Garlic: Pour in lager beer, beef stock, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, and honey or sugar. Stir well to blend all ingredients evenly.
  6. Simmer the Chili: Let the chili simmer gently for about 1.5 hours, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and allow flavors to meld. Add water in ¼ cup increments if the chili becomes too thick.
  7. Add Beans and Continue Simmering: Mix in drained kidney and black beans. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes, stirring often. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  8. Serve and Garnish: Spoon the chili into bowls and serve with garnishes such as sour cream, scallions, grated cheese, hot sauce, jalapeños, or hot cornbread for a true Southern soul food experience.

Notes

  • Use lager beer for a subtle malt flavor that complements the chili.
  • If you prefer less heat, reduce the amount of hot sausage or spicy BBQ sauce.
  • Adding water during simmering helps maintain the desired chili consistency.
  • Allow the chili to rest for a few minutes before serving to deepen flavors.
  • Garnish generously to enhance taste and texture.

Find it online: https://justworthi.com/southern-soul-chili-recipe/