Super Bowl Chili has chunky meats in a flavorful tomato sauce with just the right amount of spice that makes this the perfect hearty game day meal!

Bowl of chili topped with cheese, onions, and sour cream

The very first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967, and a tradition was born for celebrating this winter event with lots of delicious foods and snacks! Chili consistently ranks as one of the most popular foods on game day.

Chili - The State Dish of Texas

The State of Texas lays claim to the origin of chili, although both Mexico and New Mexico dispute that claim. Chili was President Lyndon Johnson's favorite food, and the first thing he'd ask for when he visited his home state. In 1977 Texans declared chili, or "bowl of red" as they call it, the official state dish of Texas.

It's So Easy To Make

This chili is so easy to make - it only takes one pot and some time to let all the flavors simmer together. I've been making this particular chili recipe for years; I like it because it's easy to adapt ingredients to different preferences for heat/spiciness. Kevin does not tolerate spicy very well, so I make him a milder version. I think this recipe has just the right balance of pepper, but it is easily made more spicy or more mild with just a few tweaks.

A Word About Peppers

I make my chili with one jalapeño pepper. If you like very spicy chili you can use an habanero pepper instead, which has much more heat than a jalapeño.

Peppers get their heat from capsaicin, which is retained in the placenta of the fruit. The placenta runs down the inside of the center of the pepper and holds the seeds. The more of that you leave in, the hotter your dish will be. The seeds actually have no heat except for any that has rubbed off on them from the placenta. To learn more about the anatomy of a pepper, check out this informative page at PepperScale.

Capsaicin originated to deter animals from eating the fruit before it matured. Humans were determined to overcome this deterrent, and over time many of us have acquired a taste for the hot and spicy would-be obstruction.

I have learned my lesson and I only handle peppers when I'm wearing rubber gloves and eye glasses. Just one touch to a sensitive area such as your eyes or a cut on your hand can launch you into serious pain or even cause a trip to the emergency room. I urge extreme caution when handling peppers, particularly if you are inexperienced.

Steps For Making Super Bowl Chili

Step 1: Browning the Meat and Adding Spices

Browning beef and pork with seasonings in a large pot — 1. Brown meat with seasonings

Adding spices to browned beef and pork — 1. Brown meat with seasonings

Step 2: Preparing the jalapeño pepper

Remove the seeds from the jalapeño and discard — 1. Cut jalapeño in half lengthwise

Step 3: The second seasoning

Adding the second seasoning of spices to the pot of chili — 1. Add the second spice seasoning

Chili after simmering one hour — 1. Add the second spice seasoning

I recommend frequently tasting the chili as you add the spices so you get it to your exact liking. Just remember that if you are serving it with dairy based toppings such as cheese and sour cream, that will impact the flavor and cut down a bit on the heat. The protein in milk and milk products, casein, breaks down the capsaicin from the pepper and helps wash away the burning sensation.

I highly recommend whipping up a quick pan of homemade cornbread while the chili is cooking. It is wonderful on the side or crumbled up in the bowl!

Super Bowl Chili

Author: Nancy Blackstone
Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 90 Minutes
Total Time: 2 Hours
Yield: 8 Servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Ingredients

Scale

Step 1

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 lbs course ground beef

1 lb course ground pork

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon salt

1 can (14-½ oz.) beef broth

1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1 can (14-½ oz.) diced tomatoes

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 cup water

Step 2

1 jalapeño chili pepper, minced with seeds removed

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon paprika

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon dried oregano

cayenne pepper to taste (optional)

can of red kidney or chili beans (optional)

Toppings

oyster crackers

shredded sharp cheddar cheese

chopped sweet onion

sour cream

Instructions

Heat oil in a large pot or dutch oven. Add meat, onion powder, garlic powder and salt. Brown well.
Add beef broth, tomato paste, tomato sauce, chunky tomatoes, chopped onion, chili powder and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
Add the jalapeño pepper, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, garlic powder, oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using.) Cook over low heat, uncovered for 30 more minutes.
Before serving, add kidney beans if desired, and mix in until hot.
Serve with toppings.

Keywords: football food, football chili, chili con carne, Texas style chili, red bowl chili, bowl of red, super bowl foods