Description
This Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish combining ground beef and pork with a rich blend of spices, beans, and tomatoes. Perfect for a comforting meal, it offers a deep, smoky taste with a hint of sweetness and a touch of heat, making it a Southern favorite that’s easy to prepare on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground pork
Vegetables
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Beans and Tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
Liquids
- ¼ cup brewed coffee or beef broth
Instructions
- Cook the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef and pork until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess grease to keep the chili from being too oily.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant, which helps build the base flavor.
- Add Spices: Stir in chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper (if using), brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Cook the mixture for 1 minute to bloom the spices and enhance their flavors.
- Combine Main Ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans, brewed coffee or beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce (if using). Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Simmer the Chili: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let the chili simmer gently for at least 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and let the flavors meld beautifully.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust the salt, pepper, or heat level if needed. Serve the chili hot, pairing it with cornbread, crackers, or over rice. Top optionally with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions for added richness and freshness.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, simmer the chili for up to 2 hours to let the ingredients fully meld.
- This recipe works great in a slow cooker—brown the meat first, then combine all ingredients and cook on low for 6–8 hours.
- You can substitute ground turkey or all beef instead of the beef and pork mix if preferred.
- Adjust the cayenne and hot sauce quantities to customize the chili’s heat level.
- Serve with your favorite chili toppings to create a personalized dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
