This Super Bowl Chili's rich flavor comes from a combination of course ground meat, chopped veggies, diced peppers and a flavorful tomato sauce with just the right amount of spice. Add your favorite toppings, and It's the perfect item for your game day menu!
Beginning with the first Super Bowl in 1967, a tradition was born for celebrating this event with delicious foods and snacks. Chili consistently ranks as one of the most popular Super Bowl party meals.
Chili Cook Off Winning Recipe
This is an easy recipe to make - it only takes one pot and some time to let all the flavors simmer together. I've been making this chili recipe for years; we used to have an annual chili cook-off in our office, and this one was always the blue ribbon winner! I like it because it's easy to adapt ingredients to different preferences for heat/spiciness. This recipe has a medium heat, but it is easily made more spicy or more mild with just a few tweaks. If you're looking for a super flavorful chili without much spice, try this recipe for Elizabeth Taylor's favorite -- Chasen's Chili Recipe.
Expert Advice on Chili Peppers
You can adjust the recipe according to the heat level you prefer. I make my chili with one jalapeño pepper (placenta and seeds removed), because I just like a little bit of heat. You can add a second pepper if you want more. If you like very spicy chili you can use a serrano pepper instead, which has a medium-high heat to it. If you really want it hot use an habanero pepper, which is the hottest of the three.
Peppers get their heat from capsaicin, which is retained in the placenta of the fruit. The placenta runs down the inside 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 latex food prep 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.
Chili Ingredients
Following are the ingredients that create the robust flavor of this chili:
- Vegetable Oil or Light Olive Oil
- Ground Beef (I use ground chuck, 85% lean for best flavor)
- Ground Pork
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Kosher Salt
- Beef Broth
- Tomato Paste
- Tomato Sauce
- Diced Tomatoes
- Yellow Onion
- Chili Powder
- Water
- Jalapeño Pepper (or pepper of your choice as discussed above)
- Ground Cumin
- Paprika
- Dried Oregano
- Cayenne Pepper (hot sauce)
- Red Kidney Beans
Optional Toppings
- Cornbread
- Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
- Chopped Sweet Onions or Green Onions
- Sour Cream
- Oyster Crackers
- Tortilla Chips
Steps For Making Super Bowl Chili
This chili is made in 2 steps: browning the meat and doing a first seasoning, then cooking and adding a second seasoning.
Step 1: Browning the Meat and Adding Spices
Step 2: Preparing the pepper
Step 3: The second 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 like creating a little buffet of toppings and sides to serve along with the main dish, which some people think is the best part! 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!
Whether you make this for the big game or just make it to enjoy on a cold day, this Super Bowl Chili Recipe will make a satisfying meal!
Have a comment or a vintage recipe you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Please rate, comment, or send me an email at [email protected].
Yes, absolutely. The flavor will not be as rich as it is with beef and pork, but it will still be delicious and will save you some fat and calories.
Definitely! Like most soups and stews, chili tastes better the next day, after sitting in the refrigerator and marinating. Chili will keep in the refrigerator in an air tight container for 3-4 days, or in the freezer for 3-4 months.
Sure, no problem. Simply brown the meat in a large skillet first, then put it in the crock pot and add the rest of the ingredients (skip the two seasonings and add it all at once.) Cook on low 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally so the meat doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.
Super Bowl Chili
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 lbs coarse ground beef
- 1 lb coarse ground pork
First Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 14.5 oz beef broth
- 6 oz. tomato paste
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 cup water
Second Seasoning
- 1 jalapeño chili pepper minced with placenta and 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
- 1 can red kidney or chili beans optional
Toppings (optional)
- cornbread
- torilla chips
- 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.
- First seasoning: Add beef broth, tomato paste, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, chili powder and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 1 hour.
- Second seasoning: 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 (or chili) beans if desired, and mix in until hot.
- Serve with desired toppings.
Notes
- For safety, always wear gloves when handling peppers.
- For additional heat, use a serrano or an habanero pepper in place of a jalapeño.
Ed Raymond says
My family loved this! Spicy hot without being obnoxiously so.