In my opinion, the best dutch oven chili recipe is one that’s easy to remember and easy to make.
Everyone loves chili! And chili is a dish many love because you can make it however you want with so many different ingredients.
And I think you will love the Dutch Oven Chili Recipe too!
Why do so many people make chili? Because it’s wonderful comfort food. Especially during football season or in the wintertime.
Chili is good all the time! Anytime!
It doesn’t necessarily have to be made only in winter, either. I’m ready for some chili now!
Variations:
Chili recipes vary from person to person and from place to place.
I’d dare say there are about as many variations of chili as there are ants in an ant hill.
Wild-game chili is an adventure, for sure. But, that is if you like eating wild game as I do
Some folks have never tried elk, moose, deer(venison), or even wild turkey chili.
No, not the drinking kind of wild turkey, either! I know what you were thinking! LOL!
I’ve even seen and heard of seafood chili, especially one called shrimp chili.
Some like it hot, some like it not. Some like it with beans, and some say that’s not true chili.
I’ve had it both ways. If you have not, it’s certainly worth trying them.
Chili Contest:
Chili contests and cook-offs are some of the best places to get an eye-opening experience with chili.
Churches and civic organizations often conduct chili contests and chili suppers, especially in the Fall of the year.
If your town or community has a chili supper, contest, or chili cook-off, they are a lot of fun, and I highly recommend you try one at least once.
The video below is one of the many ways I make my chili! It’s the best chili recipe!
In Conclusion:
I love chili, and I’ve been making it for as long as I can remember. Even in my early teenage years, I cooked chili for my family and friends.
I hope this recipe becomes your favorite as it has become mine!!
Chili is happiness in a pot!
All you have to do is find a great recipe and make it yours.
I think it is best cooked in cast iron, and here is one of the cheapest places to buy whatever size pot best suits you.
Chili Recipe:
Cast Iron Chili With Beans
Cast Iron Chili with beans cooked in a 12" cast iron dutch oven ladled over crackers or Fritos Scoops and smothered with grated cheddar cheese.
1 large yellow onion (rough chopped)
3-5 cloves of garlic (chopped and mashed with a fork)
2-3 pounds of lean ground beef or turkey
2 cans of dark red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cans of hot chili beans (drained and rinsed)
2 cans stewed tomatoes (undrained)
1 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp ground cumin
3-4 tbsp ground chili powder (3 tbsp for mild and 4 for a little kick)
1 whole jalapeno (de-seeded and chopped for mild and whole chopped for some real flavor)
2-3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 tsp salt (divided)
1 tsp black pepper
1 cup water
1 cup tomato juice (*Optional*)
1 pkg grated cheddar cheese
1 bag of Fritos Scoops
1-2 sleeves Saltine crackers
Heat your cast iron dutch oven over medium med-high heat until warm to the touch. Add vegetable oil
On a separate plate or saucer, take 1 tsp salt, add your garlic, and mash together with a fork until it forms a paste.
Add chopped onion and jalapeno to the dutch oven and saute. Add mashed garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes more.
Add ground beef or turkey to the onions and brown. Season with the other tsp of salt.
Remove mixture from pot and drain any remaining grease.
Return the meat mixture to the pot and add kidney beans, chili hot beans, and stewed tomatoes. Mix together.
Add oregano, cumin, black pepper, and chili powder. Mix together well.
Stir in 1 cup of water or *optional* 1 cup of tomato juice to the chili. Adjust for desired thickness.
Bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover pot and simmer for approximately 20-30 minutes. Stirring occasionally so the beans don't burn or stick to the bottom.
Scoop chili into a serving bowl with crackers or Fritos Scoops and smother with grated cheddar cheese. Enjoy!!
Chili can be cooked in pretty much any size dutch oven. You Can find different sizes of Cast Iron Dutch Ovens here on Amazon.
