SLOW COOKER AWARD WINNING CHILI

Slow Cooker Award Winning Chili image

One of the secret ingredients in this recipe is the beer, so don't leave it out. All of the alcohol will cook out but the unique sweet flavor remains. If you must, non-alcoholic beer can be used. You can make this chili as mild or hot as you like by adjusting the chili powder and cayenne pepper. Using this slow cooker method...

Provided by Donna Graffagnino

Time 8h30m

Number Of Ingredients 28

Ingredients

1 Tbsp bacon grease (or veg oil)
1 lb sirloin, london broil, or venison, 1/2" dice
1 lb ground chuck
1 lb breakfast pork sausage chub (hot or mild)
1 lb chili stick or brick
2 large onions, chopped
1 large bell pepper, chopped
2 stalk(s) celery, chopped
2 Tbsp garlic, minced
28 oz can petite diced tomatoes with juice
15 oz can regular diced tomatoes with juice
1 bottle chili sauce
6 oz can tomato paste
8 oz can tomato sauce
8 oz beef broth or can water
2 beef bouillon cubes if using water
1 can(s) beer (regular or light)
2-3 Tbsp mexene chili powder, or more to taste
1/2 c dried chives
2 Tbsp lea & perrin worcestershire saucd
2 Tbsp granulated or powdered garlic
2 tsp granulated or powdered onion
1 tsp cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
1 tsp cajun seasoning (zatarain's or tony cacherie's)
3 bay leaves
3 15 oz dark red kidney beans or combination of your favorite chili beans (drained and rinsed)
crushed red chili flakes for added heat (optional)
salt & pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Season ground beef, breakfast sausage and cubed sirloin with a good amount of garlic and onion powder and brown in a skillet with the bacon grease until completely cooked. Remove meat to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Discard grease.
2. Turn slow cooker to High and add in order: chili stick and cooked ground meats. Let heat from cooked meats help melt the chili stick until they are blended together.
3. Add onions, bell pepper, celery, diced tomatoes, chili sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, can water, beef bouillon, beer, garlic, chili powder, chives, Lea & Perrin, and remaining dry seasonings. Mix well and let mixture come to a good simmer.
4. Reduce temperature to Low and set timer for 7 hours. Periodically check the mixture and stir. If it seems to need more liquid just add water, or tomato juice, (I use V-8).
5. About 1 hour before chili is finished cooking add the beans. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. If you want more heat add the red chili flakes now. Serve with corn bread muffins and your choice of garnishes: sour cream, finely chopped onion, thinly sliced green onions, sliced or diced fresh or pickled jalapeno peppers, grated sharp cheddar cheese, and hot sauce.
6. *Note: This makes a very large amount. An 8 quart slow cooker will hold all of the chili mixture. Competition Tips: Always make this medium hot so that everyone can enjoy it and have plenty of cayenne, hot pepper sauce, red chili flakes, and chili powder on hand for those who want to spice up their bowl. Always make way more than you need for the competition because when the other contestants run out, you'll have some left for those who still want to eat. If they keep coming back to your chili, you'll most likely get the People's vote.