The Perfect Chili Recipe: Smoky Beef + Black Bean Chili (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.

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.

The simplest is to add liquid smoke, which will start building a smoky flavor, and is a nice addition to most chili, but doesn't bring the same thing to the party as real smoke does. Another way you can add a smoky flavor to your chili is to add a BBQ or hot sauce to your mixture that already has a smoky flavor to it.

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.

Beans and non-vegetable fillers such as rice and pasta are not allowed." If that sounds a bit uptight, the ICS's Homestyle Chili competition defines chili as: "any kind of meat, or combination of meats, and/or vegetables cooked with beans, chili peppers, various spices, and other ingredients.

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.

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.

If you want to balance some of that woodsy, charred taste and really bring out the savory flavor, brown sugar is the perfect seasoning to complement smoked meat. Adding salt and sugar together is a simple and effective way to create flavor layering.

How do restaurants get smoky flavor? ›

Many restaurants choose hardwood or fruitwood like oak, hickory, mesquite, or apple. Each type of wood imparts its unique flavor to the meat, and the choice often depends on regional preferences or the kind of meat being smoked.

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.

Get yourself a bar of good quality bittersweet chocolate, break some off and stir it into a hot pot of chili. Chocolate and chili peppers go together like corned beef and cabbage. It will give your chili nice depth of flavor, especially if the chili contains chipotle chili peppers.

Try adding spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin, coriander, Mexican oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cinnamon, cayenne, or even chipotle. Prior to preparing your chili, check the expiration date on your dried herbs and spices. If they're too old, the flavor of your chili may suffer.

Chili must: LOOK GOOD, SMELL GOOD and TASTE GOOD. If in a competition, it must do so lukewarm in a styrofoam cup. It also must look good on as small plastic teaspoon used for judging and tasting. Chili that doesn't win violates one or more of the three basics.