Capital Punishment Chili
A hearty, spicy chili packed with tender meats, bold chili flavors, and smoky seasonings, perfect for cold nights and gatherings with friends and family.
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, chopped fine ⓘ
- 10 cloves garlic, chopped fine ⓘ
- 3 lb. extra lean chuck, flank or round steak, ground ⓘ
- 2 lb. extra lean chuck, flank or round steak, cut in 1/4-inch cubes ⓘ
- 2 lb. extra lean pork loin, cut ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. flaked chili pepper or ground red pepper ⓘ
- 6 oz. can tomato sauce
- 2 bottles beer (12 oz. each) ⓘ
- 2 cans beef bouillon (10 1/2 oz. each) ⓘ
- 8 heaping Tbsp. light chili powder
- 3 Tbsp. cumin ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. oregano ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. paprika ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown all meat in a large skillet until fat is cooked off. Transfer meat to an 8-quart stockpot.
- Saute onions and garlic in the skillet until tender; add to the meat and mix well.
- Add liquids and spices and simmer the mixture.
- If you like beans in your chili, add them to the mixture 30 minutes before it's ready to eat.
- Cook for a couple of hours, then taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a deeper flavor, consider marinating the meat overnight with the spices before cooking. If you don’t have fresh garlic, garlic powder can be used as a substitute. You can also swap the beer for beef broth for a non-alcoholic version. Adding a touch of cocoa powder can enhance the richness of the chili.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chili hot, garnished with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions. It pairs beautifully with cornbread or crusty bread for dipping. For a complete meal, consider serving with a side of Sherry'D Rice or a fresh garden salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also use a microwave, heating in short intervals and stirring in between to ensure even warming.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Capital Punishment Chili contains roughly 1498 calories, with 68g protein, 241g carbohydrates, and 61g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (412% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (270% of the Daily Value), and iron (222% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 878mg per serving (38% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this chili ahead of time?
Yes, this chili can be made a day in advance. In fact, allowing it to sit overnight in the fridge enhances the flavors. Just reheat it gently before serving.
What type of beans should I use if I add them?
Common choices include kidney beans, black beans, or pinto beans. Canned beans can be added about 30 minutes before serving to heat through, or you can use dried beans that are soaked and cooked beforehand.
Is it possible to make this chili vegetarian?
Absolutely! Substitute the meats with a combination of mushrooms, lentils, and additional beans. You can also use vegetable broth instead of beef bouillon for a rich flavor without meat.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).