Can I use diced tomatoes?

Sure! I really like using crushed tomatoes here, but you can also use canned diced tomatoes.

I have everything except bacon on hand. Will this work without bacon?

It will. The bacon is optional, but SUPER good! A faster alternative is skipping the bacon but sauteeing your veggies in reserved bacon fat or smoked paprika - you keep bacon fat in your fridge, right?! TIME TO START.

Whew! Looks like a lot of veggies to chop. Any tips to speed this up?

Speedy tip coming your way! You can buy pre-chopped veggies or just chop all your veggies up in the food processor ! (affiliate link) Less precise, but super fast and easy. You can also save time on veggie prep with this guide to How to Cut an Onion .

Could I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey would work great in this as well.

How could I make this chili spicier?

Adding in some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes with the other spices should do the trick!

The Very Best Chili Recipe

Name: The Best Sunday Chili
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons salt; 1 1/2 pounds ground beef; 6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces; half of an onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 jalapeno, minced; 4 carrots, minced (optional); 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder; 2 tablespoons cumin; 1 tablespoon oregano; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 3-4 tablespoons tomato paste; one 28-ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes; two 14-ounce cans beans, rinsed and drained (I like black beans and pinto beans); 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth (plus more to thin as needed); toppings: avocado, cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, red onion, cilantro

Description

This is the BEST Sunday Chili! Beef, bacon, tomatoes, chopped veggies, beans, and spices – it’s a cozy weather weekend essential!

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
6 slices bacon, cut into small pieces
half of an onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno, minced
4 carrots, minced (optional)
2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3–4 tablespoons tomato paste
one 28-ounce can fire roasted crushed tomatoes
two 14-ounce cans beans, rinsed and drained (I like black beans and pinto beans)
2 cups beef broth or chicken broth (plus more to thin as needed)
toppings: avocado, cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, red onion, cilantro

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Instructions

Mix salt with ground beef. Set aside so it can get nice and salty while you prep the other ingredients. In a large Dutch oven over medium high heat, fry your bacon pieces until crispy. Drain on paper towel lined plates. Pour off most of the bacon fat, but leave 1-2 tablespoons for sautéing.
Add the onion, garlic, jalapeno, and carrots. Sauté until soft and fragrant.
Add the ground beef and spices. Brown until fully cooked.
Add the tomato paste. Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
Add tomatoes, beans, broth, and bacon. Bring to a low simmer. Cover it and let it hang out over low heat for at least 30-45 minutes, but ideally 2+ hours (this helps the flavors develop and this is why it’s Sunday chili). You can alternate between keeping it over a low flame and just letting it rest in the hot pot. It will thicken, so use extra water or broth to thin it out to desired consistency.
BOOM! Top with all your favorite toppings. Make plans to revisit this again next Sunday.

Equipment

Ladle

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Dutch Oven

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Notes

Instant Pot Instructions: Once everything is browned up, you can add it to the Instant Pot and pressure cook it for 20-30 minutes to concentrate the flavors in less time.

Slow Cooker Instructions: Once everything is browned up, you can add it to your crockpot on low for 3 hours. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chili recipe, beef chili with bacon, classic chili