Rick'S Chili - Hot
A hearty, spicy chili packed with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and bold seasonings, perfect for comfort food lovers and chili enthusiasts seeking robust flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 lb. 80% lean ground beef ⓘ
- 3 (20 oz.) cans tomato sauce ⓘ
- 3 (20 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes ⓘ
- 4 to 6 Tbsp. ground chili pepper ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin ⓘ
- 1 1/4 tsp. oregano ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1 large onion, diced ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. paprika ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper ⓘ
- 1 1/2 tsp. masa corn flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup water or red wine ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook diced onion in butter until soft and tender.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned.
- Add tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and water or wine.
- Stir in ground chili pepper, cumin, oregano, salt, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to simmer for a few hours.
- Add rinsed kidney beans during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider adding a tablespoon of tomato paste along with the tomato sauce and crushed tomatoes. If you want to adjust the heat, start with 4 tablespoons of ground chili pepper and add more to taste as the chili simmers. You can also replace ground beef with turkey or a plant-based meat alternative for a healthier twist.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chili hot, garnished with shredded cheese, diced onions, or sour cream. It pairs beautifully with Rice Jumble or cornbread for a hearty meal. For a complete dinner, consider serving with a side of tortilla chips or a fresh green salad.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stove over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until hot. For longer storage, freeze it for up to 3 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Rick'S Chili - Hot contains roughly 1543 calories, with 68g protein, 246g carbohydrates, and 71g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (350% of the Daily Value), iron (222% of the Daily Value), and calcium (154% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1733mg per serving (75% 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 in advance?
Absolutely! This chili actually tastes better the next day as the flavors meld together. Prepare it a day ahead, let it cool, and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat before serving for a delicious meal.
What can I use instead of ground beef?
You can substitute ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a lighter or vegetarian option. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, as some alternatives may cook faster than beef.
How can I make this chili less spicy?
To reduce the heat, cut back on the ground chili pepper and cayenne pepper. You can also add a dollop of sour cream or serve it with shredded cheese to balance the spiciness when serving.
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).