Tailgate Chili
You know me, I’m all about the bowl and chili is one of my favorite bowls! It is a wonderful meal. Day one it’s a bowl of chili, day two topping off a tater, Day three pour it over a salad to make a taco salad or over chips for some nachos.
That’s the amazing thing about chili – it’s versatile and you never have to eat the same thing every day!
Day one for us is always a bowl of chili.
I love the big flavor you get from a bowl of chili too. And there is no way to duplicate that slow cooked flavor!
Top it with your favorite condiments cilantro, lime, cheese and onions!
Sometimes I top it off with cilantro, cheese, onions and a squeeze of lime, sometimes not. It really depends on your preference!
Chili is also a meal that freezes well. Before I serve it up I usually ladle out a quart and pop it into the freezer. That way on those days that you don’t want to cook? Well you know how that works, right?!!!
Tailgate chili has big flavor without the hot spice. One of my hubbies favorites, I make this often, once or twice a month!
My recipe is probably different than what you’re familiar with. In fact chili purists might hate this recipe. First off, I use beans – chili purists will say there’s no beans in chili, but that’s how I roll! Secondly, one of those can of beans is pork & beans (but if you don’t have a can, you can always substitute a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar). The sweet/spicy combination is fantastic!
This chili has a sweet/spicy combo that is dynamite!
Lastly for the final half hour of cooking I add chopped celery – gasp! 😊 The celery adds a bright burst of flavor and nice crunchy texture. Hey… don’t knock it until you try it and today… you should give this a try!
Tailgate Chili
Love a great chili? Then it's time to make some Tailgate Chili! Full of spicy sweet flavor it one of our favorite meals!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. ground beef or turkey if you prefer
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 4 15 oz. cans of beans do not drain you can use pinto beans, white beans, kidney beans, black beans, garbanzo beans, whatever is your favorite, just use four cans of beans.
- 1 15 oz. can pork & beans do not drain
- 1 can chopped jalapeños 4oz.
- ½ cup water
- 1 28 oz. can stewed tomatoes do not drain
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 2 tablespoon each; dry mustard chili powder & paprika
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef, drain & set aside.
- Using the same pot, add the onions & sauté about five minutes until they nicely soften. Add the garlic and all of the spices and continue sautéing until it becomes fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pot except the celery.
- Cover pot & simmer on low for two hours, stirring occasionally. You may need to add more water, just keep an eye on it.
- At 1½ hours, add the celery, remove lid & continue for the final half hour to simmer.
Love a great chili? Then it’s time to make some Tailgate Chili! Full of spicy sweet flavor it’s one of our favorite meals!
Tailgate Chili – not much better than a great bowl of chili. Spicy, meaty and full of great flavor! One bowl of this chili will have you coming back for more!
Want more chili flavor? Enjoy my White Bean Turkey Chili or Smokey Chipotle Chili – both great meals in a bowl!
Chili is my favorite too!!
Chili is good food! Thanks for stopping by Bach!
I love that you topped it with celery. I put celery in a chili recipe last week and it gave the chili a delicious texture. This chili bowl looks so welcoming!
Celery does give the best texture, I know so many people would disagree, but I say don’t knock it until you try it right? 🙂 Great minds think alike Rini!!
What size can of pork & beans do you use? The recipe sounds delicious! 😋 I can’t wait to try it!
Hey Cheryl – thanks so much for bringing this to my attention! 15 oz. can pork & beans or even just baked beans – looking to add that little bit of sweet with the heat. Heading over to update the recipe now!! Thank you again!!
I’m from texas, I say chili needs beans! Sign me up!
Oh good Lindsay!! I’ve gotten lectures from people on what does/doesn’t belong in chili. 😀 I say make what you enjoy. Thanks for stopping by!!
What a great dish! I love its versatility!
Me too Julie, it’s always a great time for chili!!
Great idea to add a can of pork and beans! I also like mixing my beans up- I normally throw chick peas in, too.
Love chickpeas – totally with you there!
I need myself a bowl of this! Perfect for a cold day, the flavors sound incredible!
One order coming up Erren!! 😀
I’m so excited baseball tailgating season is approaching! I’m counting down the days to Opening Day. Will definitely bookmark this for later.
You’ll love it Brandi! Chili is always a great meal!!
I’m going to make this later this week. Just looks so good and with football season here its time to enjoy a good bowl of Chili
My favorite chili, I’m always trying out new idea and so often come back to this – thank you Lois, enjoy!!
I made this early this week and was very very good.
I make this all the time too, gotta love a great chili!!!