Tips to Make Great Chili

Now that it’s getting cool, you may be considering making a big pot of chili. And it’s National Chili Month, so it is a perfect time! Follow these tips to make a great chili for your family. These steps may make ho-hum chili into something your family will ask you to make again and again.

Fresh is Best

Start with the freshest ingredients possible. While opening a couple of cans of beans and tomatoes may make your chili quick and easy, it simply can’t compare with homemade all-the-way chili. Use fresh, seeded tomato and peppers. Even though the seeds often provide a bit of flavor, seeds can detract from a ‘pretty’ bowl of chili.

Cook Your Beans First

Cook a pot of beans before you make it into chili. This can make all the difference in the world. It may take a while longer to prepare your chili, but the results will be well-worth the wait.

Pick a Pepper

Consider the different types of peppers available. Sure, a jalapeno will add some heat to your recipe, but do you want your chili to have heat or a flavor all its own? You may even want to mix the types of peppers to give your chili the right amount of kick!

Broth Not H2O

Avoid using water to thin down too thick chili. Instead, use beef broth instead. Not only will this provide the extra liquid you need, it can also add depth and flavor to your recipe.

Thicken It Up!

You can thicken up a too thin chili by adding small amounts of tomato paste. This will provide both flavor and thickening to your chili. If that doesn’t work, try adding just a little bit of cornstarch or cornmeal. Be careful to add only a little a time or you’ll have the opposite problem.

Pre-Packaged Chili? Skip It

Avoid using a pre-packaged chili seasoning mix. The flavor may be alright, but you want “Wow!” Use fresh herbs, spices, and chiles to create a wonderful taste. Experiment with a variety of seasonings. When you hit on the perfect mix, make a large batch, and then separate it out for individual pots of chili. This can be frozen for up to one year.

Brown Your Meat First

Be sure to cook your meat before adding it to your chili. Brown and drain any excess fat from the meat before you begin adding liquids. Browning the meat sears it and locks in the flavor. Use a better cut of meat and your family will love it!

Make the Chili Ahead of Time

Make your chili the day before you plan to eat it. Why? Preparing the chili, allowing it to cool, and then refrigerating it overnight, you will give the flavors of the chili to “marry.” The result will be so much better than opening up some cans, adding some ground beef and a packet of chili seasoning. Your family will notice the difference and will enjoy every drop of it. If you want to eat it the same day, place the ingredients in the crockpot or allow it to simmer all day before eating it.

Anyone can make chili with cans, but use these tips to make a great chili. The results will be well worth the time and effort. Your family will thank you each time you make it.

• 

• 

• 

Other Chili Posts

• Instant Pot Pulled Pork Chili
• Crockpot Chicken Chili

Loving Life — The Reboot!

Dominique