Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili Recipe
This Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili is a hearty, flavorful dish packed with tender ground beef, kidney and black beans, and a rich blend of spices. Slow-simmered to perfection, it offers a comforting and robust taste of Southern cooking, perfect for cozy dinners or gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 900g (2 lbs) ground beef
- 2 cans (400g each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (400g) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (400g each) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (400g) tomato sauce
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water (as needed for desired consistency)
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and green bell pepper and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic and Brown Beef: Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks thoroughly.
- Bloom Spices: Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the spices to bloom and develop deeper flavors.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Stir everything together to combine fully.
- Simmer Chili: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened and richly flavored.
- Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, optionally topped with cornbread, sour cream, or shredded cheese for added richness.
Notes
- You can adjust the spiciness by increasing or omitting the cayenne pepper.
- For a thicker chili, simmer longer until desired consistency is reached.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Additional toppings like chopped green onions or jalapeños pair well with this chili.
Keywords: Southern chili, beef chili, kidney beans, black beans, spicy chili, soul food, hearty chili, comfort food
