Big Ass Pot of Chili Recipe (2024)

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January 29, 2010 | 85 Comments

2 pounds of bacon, 4 pounds of sausage, 6 pounds of ground beef…and that’s only the beginning.

This recipe may seem excessive, but by the time this massive pot of chili is done cooking, and certainly by the time you’ve gone through the last of it, you always want just a little bit more.

It really is that good. It’s not like some chili which sits in your stomach like a ton of bricks. It’s not too beany, or too spicy, or too smoky. It’s complex, with a sweet savory tang, and layers of meaty flavor throughout. For me, it’s the sweetness that makes this chili special. A multi-dimensional sweetness derived from a number of ingredients: carrots (grated so that they melt into the sauce), ketchup, barbecue sauce, sugar, and baker’s chocolate.

That’s Secret #1.

Big Ass Pot of Chili Recipe (5)

The Makings of the Best Chili Ever

Secret #2 is adding a parmesan rind to the pot. This is an old Italian trick I learned for creating rich soups, stocks, tomato sauce, or…chili! Remember it next time you finish off an expensive wedge of parmigiano. After you’re done digging away at all the edible parts, pop the rind in a freezer bag and save it for a rainy (or shall I say chili, ha ha ha) day.

Secret #3: let it simmer for a long long time. This is one of those dishes that tastes better the next day, or the day after that. I kid you not, I let this simmer for 6 hours or more. I will usually make it late afternoon on a weekend, let it cook all evening, and then turn off the flame and cover it right before going to bed. The next day, the flavors will have melded together into something amazing.

There may be a few lingering doubts in your mind about why not to make this recipe. One being the long list of ingredients, to which I say, okay, there are a lot of ingredients, and yes, you will need to make a Costco run, but after that it’s really easy. You basically just add everything to a big pot and leave it alone. Fool proof. And worth it.

The other question may concern the alarming quantity this recipe makes. Feeds 20+. Yes, it does! But really, you’ll be surprised at how quickly this goes, and I mean, if you’re going to make all that effort in getting the ingredients, you might as well go the whole nine yards. If you’re still on the fence, consider these scenarios where a massive pot of chili makes perfect sense:

  • Game Day with lots of men to feed. Isn’t the Super Bowl coming up or something?
  • Ski weekend. This is the perfect make-ahead meal. All you have to do is heat it up on the stove, which is the maximum effort I usually have in me after a day on the slopes, when my quads have turned to lead.
  • Any weekend. Especially when it is relentlessly rainy and cold outside. (You may know what I mean). Extra bonus, this recipe freezes really well. Store away single/double servings of this and have a warm, satisfying, homemade meal ready in minutes any time.

Now that you’re ready for chili, the next challenge is to find a pot that is sufficiently massive. You’re on your own for that one. Alright, I’ll give you a hint: I scored mine off of Craigslist from a restaurant going out of business. For something this size, go commercial.

Big Ass Pot of Chili Recipe (6)

Best Chili Ever

Big-Ass Pot of Chili

Yield: 4 gallons (20+ servings)

Adapted from Steve Conn and Colerain Firefighters Local 3915’s "Major Cojone’s Chili.” I guess it makes sense that the original recipe would come from a fire house 🙂 I doubled the Major’s recipe, made some tweaks to the heat source, and added some sweet secret ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds applewood-smoked bacon, diced into 1 inch squares
  • 4 pounds spicy Italian pork sausage, removed from casings
  • 6 pounds ground beef
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
  • 3 red bell peppers, chopped
  • 4 large onions, finely chopped
  • 3 carrots, grated
  • 8 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 4 cans (28 oz each) chili beans
  • 4 cans (28 oz each) crushed tomatoes
  • 4 cans (28 oz each) tomato sauce
  • 2 cups ketchup
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 tablespoons red chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons Sriracha chili sauce
  • 2 ounces unsweetened baker's chocolate
  • 1 parmesan rind

Instructions

  1. In a large pan, cook bacon until crispy; drain and add to a 5-gallon pot.
  2. Drain off the bacon grease. Brown the sausage in the same pan; drain and add to the pot.
  3. Drain off the fat from the pan again. Brown the ground beef; drain and add to the pot with the other meats.
  4. Add all of the remaining ingredients and bring to a bubble, stirring periodically. Then, lower heat and simmer on low for at least 6 hours.
  5. Serve with chili toppings if you’d like (shredded cheese, sour cream, green onion or chives), Frito scoops, quesadillas, or bread bowl.

http://lickmyspoon.com/recipes/big-ass-pot-of-chili/

Recipe Source: LickMySpoon.com.

Hello! All images and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or simply link back to this post for the recipe. Thank you!

This post was published on KQED’s Bay Area Bites on January 27, 2010. It was also featured in SF Weekly’s SFoodie.

Tagsbest chili recipefamily dinnergame day foodgroup dinner

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Big Ass Pot of Chili Recipe (11)

Big Ass Pot of Chili Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to really good chili? ›

Make sure to give your chili some heat by including jalapeños. Add in beef broth or beer (or both). Make sure to season with chili powder*, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Maybe a little touch of smoked paprika if you want to introduce some smokiness to the dish.

What secret ingredient will deepen the flavor of your chili? ›

Coffee or Espresso: A cup of coffee can add a rich, earthy depth to your chili. The subtle bitterness of coffee perfectly complements the savory elements of the dish, creating a complex flavor profile.

How big of a pot do I need for chili? ›

On the low end, a 5-quart stock pot is suitable for making soups and chili, but for actually making stock you want something in the 12-quart or larger range.

How much beef for 1 gallon of chili? ›

Also can you mix black angus with red kidney beans? Visit Aquabucket's homepage! I think that is way too much. I used to work as a butcher, and we always recommended 1 - 1.5 lbs per gallon of chili.

What adds the most flavor to chili? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

What liquid is best for chili? ›

The best kind of broth can vary: For a traditional chili recipe, beef broth is best, but white chili is better with chicken broth. And of course, if you're making a vegetarian chili, stick with vegetable broth instead. If you don't have any broth on hand, you could also add beer or wine to the pot.

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Best Herbs And Spices For Chilli Con Carne
  • Smoked paprika. Smoked paprika is an essential spice in any chilli recipe. ...
  • Ground cumin. It's hard to imagine Mexican chilli con carne without cumin. ...
  • Garlic powder. ...
  • Onion powder. ...
  • Oregano. ...
  • Marjoram. ...
  • Ground coriander. ...
  • Chilli powder.

How to add richness to chili? ›

Instead of using plain water (please, never just use water), consider using stock, broth, or bone broth as your base to add richness and depth. Not sure which broth to use? Luckily, there isn't a right or wrong answer. Beef broth adds a hearty, robust flavor, while chicken broth brings a lighter, more delicate taste.

What is the best thickener for chili? ›

Cornmeal is one of our go-to thickening agents for chili. Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain.

What is the best meat for chili? ›

The best meat for chili depends on the type you're making, but professionals generally use a combination of ground chuck, brisket, short ribs, or diced tri-tip sirloin mixed with bacon and sausage to layer multiple textures and flavors.

How long should chili simmer in a pot? ›

If you want a quick weeknight dinner, cook the chili over medium-high heat until it thickens up, which can take as little as 10 to 20 minutes. But if you have more time, the flavors will meld together better if you simmer the chili over medium-low heat for 25 to 35 minutes or more.

What kind of pot is best for chili? ›

A stainless, tri-ply stock pot (like this one from All-Clad) allows us to use a low, evenly distributed heat to simmer our chili until it's just right.

Should I drain hamburger meat for chili? ›

The best ground beef for chili has some fat, so 85% lean is ideal. Don't be tempted to use extra-lean beef or drain off the fat after browning the meat. The fat bastes the meat during cooking, which adds richness to the sauce and keeps the meat moist.

What kind of beans are good in chili? ›

The best beans for chili are pinto, kidney, and black beans, like in this easy and tasty recipe. This 3-bean chili freezes great for meals later in the week. If you prefer thinner chili, add an extra can of tomato sauce. The green chiles are not hot and add a wonderful flavor, so don't be afraid to use them.

Do you cook the ground beef first for chili? ›

Raw meat and pot of chili are two things that just don't belong together. If the recipe includes any type of ground meat, bacon, chorizo, or cubes of beef, it should always be browned first. Try this: The first order of business before adding anything else to the pot is to brown any meat in your recipe.

What makes chili even better? ›

A few diced jalapeños will add a bright, fresh spiciness, while minced chipotles in adobo give chili more of a smoky, slow-burning character. You could also make a paste from dried chilis: Start by toasting a mix of dried ancho and pasilla chiles in a dry skillet, then soaking them in a bowl of warm water until soft.

How do you add richness to chili? ›

Instead of using plain water (please, never just use water), consider using stock, broth, or bone broth as your base to add richness and depth. Not sure which broth to use? Luckily, there isn't a right or wrong answer. Beef broth adds a hearty, robust flavor, while chicken broth brings a lighter, more delicate taste.

How do you make can chili taste better? ›

Adding fresh herbs or vegetables can lend depth, flavor, and texture to your chili while masking that tinny tang. Stretch out your chili by mixing in some cooked, chopped carrots or sweet potatoes while also giving it a nutritious boost of extra veggies.

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