Soul Chili (American South)

southernsoulchili My Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili recipe starts with beef and beans in a rich sauce loaded with amazing flavour. That’s perfect for tailgating, game day, or when you’re feeding a crowd. Simmered for hours, it is comfort food at its best.

1 lb ground beef
1 lb hot sausage
3 Tbsp. chili powder
½ poblano pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 medium onion, minced
2 Tbsp. garlic, minced
2 tsp. sea salt
1 tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
4 oz tomato paste
1 (16 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 cup BBQ Sauce
½ cup Hot/Spicy BBQ sauce
12 oz lager beer
1 cup beef stock
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. pure honey or sugar
2 (15 oz) cans dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

To Serve:
sour cream
chopped scallions
grated cheese
hot sauce
chopped jalapeños
hot cornbread

In an extra-large stockpot or cast iron skillet, brown ground beef and sausage.

Add chopped vegetables, except garlic and cook until the meats are cooked through and vegetables are tender. Lower heat to medium.

Add chili powder, tomatoes, tomato paste and BBQ sauces to the pot, mixing well. Scrape any bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook for about 15 minutes stirring often.

Stir in beer, beef broth, minced garlic, Worcestershire, vinegar and honey. Stir to blend ingredients.

Simmer for about 1½ hours stirring frequently allowing chili flavours to marry. If the sauce gets too thick, add water in ¼ cup amounts.

Add beans and cook another 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Taste for seasoning and adjust.

Serve with garnishes and extras, sour cream, scallions, grated cheese, hot sauce, jalapeños and/or hot cornbread.

Cook's Notes:

This recipe can be finished in the crock pot. Make chili sauce and put mixture in crock pot . Add beans and cook on low for 4 hours.
Chili freezes well. Allow to cool, put in zip lock bags and lay flat in freezer for storage.