Winter Chili Made Better with Bacon

Cold weather calls for chili, but we’re making it better—with bacon. This winter-ready bowl is smoky, hearty, and packed with #CrazyTasty flavor.

Ingredients

• 5 strips uncooked bacon chopped
• 1 large yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
• 1 red bell pepper diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced (about 1 Tablespoon)
• 1 lb ground beef (We use 90% but any will work)
• 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
• Tablespoon chili powder
• 1 Tablespoon ancho chili powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¾ teaspoons ground black pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 ¼ cup beef broth 
• 15 oz can dark red kidney beans lightly rinsed and drained 
  
• 15 oz can black beans lightly rinsed and drained 
  
• 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes undrained 
  
• 3 Roasted Poblanos (we roasted right over the open flame of one of our burners, then sweat them and peeled them) 
  
• ¼ cup tomato paste 
  
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  
• Preferred toppings particularly sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips
  

Directions

1. Place chopped (uncooked) bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until crisp and cooked through. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and drain all but 1 ½ Tablespoons of bacon fat

2. Add onion and pepper and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.

3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

4. Add beef, breaking apart with a spatula as you cook. Once meat is partially (about 50%) browned, add sugar and all spices (chili powders, paprika, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper) and stir well.

5. Add all remaining ingredients — beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, and Worcestershire sauce — and your cooked bacon and stir well.

6. Bring to a boil and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. 

7. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 30 minutes to allow flavor to really develop. 

8. Serve with preferred toppings (sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips are a must!)

Enjoy! Don't forget to tag us on social. We want to see what you come up with!