American Chili

"This is something I have been making since I was 14 years old on cold days in Michigan. It was easy, could be left to simmer while I worked on other chores and smelled delicious. I never received any complaints from my brothers when they came in from the cold for lunch. It can be made with any ground meat, but growing up we used ground goat meat or ground lamb. The cows were for selling, not for us to be eating. I think you will enjoy this if you really love chili like my family does. Please share it."

Prep Time

15

Cook Time

40

Paired With

Sauvignon Blanc

Main Protein

Wild Game

Ingredients

IngredientQuantity
Ground Goat or Lamb 2 Lbs, 2 tablespoons, 1, 3, 1, 2, 2, 1 can 15 oz, 2 cans (14.5 oz each), 1 can (15 oz), 1 can (15 oz), 2 TBS, 1 TBS, 1 tsp, .5 tsp, pinch, 10 good shakes, 2 cups
Olive oil
Diced Onion (large)
Garlic cloves
Bell Pepper (any color)
carrots (diced)
celery stalks (diced)
kidney beans, drained and rinsed
diced tomatoes
tomato sauce
black beans, drained and rinsed
chili powder
ground cumin
smoked paprika
cayenne pepper
Salt
Pepper
beef or vegetable broth

Directions

 

  1. Brown the Meat:

    • Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground goat or lamb and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Once cooked, remove the meat from the pot and set aside.

  2. Sauté the Vegetables:

    • In the same pot, add the diced onion, garlic, bell pepper, carrots, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables start to soften, about 5 minutes.

  3. Combine Ingredients:

    • Return the browned meat to the pot. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

  4. Add Broth and Simmer:

    • Pour in the broth and stir to combine. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for at least 1 hour. The chili will thicken and flavors will develop more fully the longer it simmers.

  5. Adjust Seasonings:

    • Taste the chili and adjust the seasonings if necessary. If you desire more heat, you can add additional cayenne pepper or chili powder.

  6. Serve:

    • Serve the chili hot with your choice of garnishes such as sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped green onions, or cilantro.