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Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe

Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe

Olivia Brooks
Enjoy a bowl of Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe, loaded with beef, peppers, and rich tomato flavor for the ultimate comfort meal.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Equipment

  • A big stockpot or Dutch oven (heavy-bottomed to ensure even heating)
  • A sharp chef’s knife
  • A cutting board
  • A heatproof or wooden spoon or spatula.
  • Measuring cups and spoons.
  • Additional: Hands-free cooking in a slow cooker or pressure cooker.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs beef on the ground or half beef, half sausage to add additional flavor
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced (optional because of color and sweetness)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cans 15 oz of kidney beans, drained and rinsed.
  • 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed.
  • 2 14.5 oz cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper add or keep down to your own tolerance of spices
  • 1 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar sour cream, green onions, slices of jalapeño, cilantro.

Instructions
 

Step 1: Build the Flavor Base

  • In your Dutch oven, heat the olive oil on medium heat. Let onions and both bell peppers be added. Fry some 5-6 minutes till tender and slightly brown. Add minced garlic and cook 30 more seconds -just until fragrant.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

  • Add ground beef (and sausage, as it may be). Cut it into pieces with your spoon and cook until it is all pink. This will leave out the excess grease, which will provide a cleaner taste.

Step 3: Spice It Up

  • Add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Add the spices to the hot mixture and stir and toast them for approximately one minute. The flavors are enhanced in this process of blooming.

Step 4: Add the Liquids

  • Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Blend all the ingredients until smooth, and beans. The chili will have the deep and concentrated body provided by the tomato paste.

Step 5: Simmer Low and Slow

  • Reduce the heat to low. Partly cover and simmer 1 to 1/2 hours, stirring now and then. In case the chili becomes too thick, add a splash of broth or water. The more time it simmers, the more flavor it has.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

  • Taste your chili and add salt, pepper, or cayenne to taste before it is served. Keep in mind - chili must be balanced: heat, salt, and a little sweetness of tomatoes.

Step 7: Serve It Up

  • Spoon it, top it with your toppings of choice, and serve! You can be conservative with cheddar and sour cream, or you can be creative and have crushed tortilla chips and avocado in your chili, which can be endlessly customizable.
Keyword Pepper Belly Pete Chili Recipe