Hearty Potluck Chili Recipes

HEARTY SLOW-COOKER CHILI

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add green pepper, onion and garlic; cook and stir 3-4 minutes or until tender. Transfer to a 6-qt. slow cooker., Working in batches if necessary, cook beef in the same skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes, breaking meat into crumbles. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to slow cooker., Stir tomatoes, tomato sauce, chiles, parsley and seasonings into beef mixture. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours to allow flavors to blend. Serve with rice and toppings as desired. Freeze option: Freeze cooled chili in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally and adding a little water or broth if necessary.

CROCKPOT CHILI (COOK-OFF WINNER!)

Steps:

• In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and dab off the excess grease. Set aside.
• Reserve the bacon grease in the skillet. Remove the stem and seeds from the peppers. Finely chop.
• Finely chop the celery. Remove the peel of the onion and finely chop. Chop the jalapeño pepper and remove the seeds if desired -- leave them in for extra heat.*
• Add the peppers, celery, onion, and jalapeño pepper to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Saute the veggies over medium heat until tender. Transfer to the slow cooker.
• Add in the three cans of chili beans (undrained and do not rinse), petite diced tomatoes, and tomato paste.
• In the same skillet used to cook the bacon and veggies, cook the ground chuck and Italian sausage over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain off all the fat and add to the slow cooker.
• Add all the seasonings to the crockpot. Crumble the bacon (or chop) into very small pieces and stir that in the crockpot. Or reserve the bacon in the fridge and add at the end. Stir everything together.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Taste and adjust seasonings (salt, pepper, chili powder, etc.) Enjoy with fresh cilantro, sour cream and Cheddar cheese.

HEARTY COWBOY BAKED BEANS

Steps:

• Brown ground beef and bacon.
• Drain.
• In large Dutch Oven or roaster combine all the ingredients.
• Cook on medium heat about an hour.
• Or you can put in your crockpot.
• Cook about 3 hours on high, or 8-10 hours on low.

MEATY THICK MAN CHILI

Steps:

• Place the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring to crumble, until evenly browned. Drain off grease. Place the pot over medium heat, and add the onion, garlic, green pepper, red pepper and kidney beans. Cook and stir for a few minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and water, and season with chili powder. Simmer over low heat for 40 minutes uncovered.

HEARTY POTLUCK CHILI

Steps:

• In a large stockpot, cook the beef, onions and celery over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 1 hour or until desired thickness is achieved.