Description
Miranda Lambert’s Famous Chili brings bold Texan flavors to comfort food heaven. Hearty meat, rich spices, and homestyle cooking create a soulful dish that warms hearts and satisfies you completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats:
- 2 pounds ground beef, preferably chili grind, or ground venison
- 1 pound ground chuck
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)
Other Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, diced (optional)
- 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chiles (such as Ro-Tel)
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, undrained (optional)
Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Chopped onions
- Sour cream
- Cilantro
- Fritos
Optional Serving:
- Jalapeno Cornbread
Instructions
- Prepare the foundational protein by searing ground beef and chuck in a skillet, methodically breaking down the meat with a wooden spoon until achieving a rich, caramelized exterior. Ensure thorough browning by potentially working in separate batches.
- Transition the well-browned meat to a spacious stockpot, simultaneously introducing olive oil and aromatic vegetables. Delicately sauté yellow and white onions alongside jalapeños, cultivating a fragrant base that develops nuanced flavor profiles.
- Integrate the caramelized meat with sautéed aromatics, creating a robust blend. Incorporate tomato varieties, green chiles, and a harmonious constellation of spices – chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper – orchestrating a complex flavor landscape.
- Elevate the mixture to a vigorous boil, then dramatically reduce thermal intensity. Allow the chili to gently simmer, covered, for an extended three-hour duration. Periodically interrupt the cooking process with gentle stirring to prevent scorching and promote even flavor distribution.
- During the final hour of simmering, strategically introduce pinto beans, enriching the chili’s textural complexity and nutritional depth. This carefully timed addition ensures beans maintain structural integrity while absorbing surrounding flavors.
Notes
- Choose high-quality ground beef with a higher fat content for richer, more flavorful chili that stays moist and tender during long cooking.
- Consider toasting whole spices like cumin and chili powder in a dry skillet before adding to intensify their complex flavor profile and create deeper, more robust taste notes.
- Experiment with different heat levels by adjusting jalapeño quantities or using alternative peppers like serrano or poblano for customized spiciness.
- For a more heart-healthy version, substitute ground turkey or lean ground beef and use low-sodium alternatives to traditional ingredients without compromising delicious taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern (American)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg