Bacon Beef Chili🍖 Main

Name: Bacon Beef Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 5 strips uncooked bacon, chopped; 1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup); 1 red pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbsp); 1 – 1 1/2 lb ground beef; 1 Tbsp brown sugar; 1 Tbsp chili powder; 1 Tbsp ancho chili powder; 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp onion powder; 2 tsp cocoa powder; 3/4 tsp ground black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper; 1 1/4 cup beef broth; 15 oz can dark red kidney beans, lightly rinsed and drained; 15 oz can black beans, lightly rinsed and drained; 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained; 1 – 7 oz can fire roasted green chilis; 1/4 cup tomato paste; 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

A hearty chili made with bacon, ground beef, two types of beans, fire roasted tomatoes, and a blend of warming spices including cocoa powder for depth of flavor.

By Priya Patel, Recipe Curator

Prep: 15 minCook: 45 minServes: 6

chili beef bacon comfort food hearty spicy

★ 4.5 (2 ratings)

A great soup is one of the most satisfying things you can cook at home — it fills the kitchen with warmth and aroma, makes the house feel lived-in, and yields enough to feed a crowd or stock the freezer. This bacon beef chili is a recipe worth learning well, because you will want to make it every time the weather turns cool or you need a reliable, comforting meal.

Add the garlic after the other aromatics have softened — it burns faster than onions and can turn bitter if it hits high heat for too long.

This soup tastes even better the next day after the flavors have had time to deepen overnight. It freezes beautifully in individual portions, making it an excellent meal-prep option. Serve it with crusty bread or a simple green salad for a complete meal.

Ingredients

5 strips uncooked bacon, chopped
1 large yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1 red pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced (about 1 Tbsp)
1 – 1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp ancho chili powder
1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp cocoa powder
3/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1 1/4 cup beef broth
15 oz can dark red kidney beans, lightly rinsed and drained
15 oz can black beans, lightly rinsed and drained
14 1/2 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes, undrained
1 – 7 oz can fire roasted green chilis
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Nutrition (Per 6 servings)*

520

Calories

34g

Protein

42g

Carbs

22g

Fat

12g

Fiber

980mg

Sodium

* AI-estimated values only — not a substitute for professional nutrition labeling.

Instructions

Place chopped, uncooked bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until crisp and cooked through. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and drain all but 1 1/2 Tablespoons of grease.
Add onion and pepper and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
Add beef, breaking apart with a spatula as you cook. Once meat is partially (about 50%) browned, add brown sugar and all spices (chili powders, paprika, cumin, onion powder, cocoa powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper) and stir well.
Add all remaining ingredients—beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, and Worcestershire sauce—and your cooked bacon and stir well.
Bring to a boil and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
Simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow flavor to really develop. Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and corn chips.