Beef/ PBS/ Recipes

Hearty Beef and Bean Chili

There’s something about chili that just screams fall, don’t you think?

I’ve posted a couple chili recipes on here in the past so there’s a chance you might be chilied-out by now. I hope not. I hope, rather, you’re like me and chili is the one food that never, ever gets old. I mean…there’s just so many different types and varieties! And the toppings! Oh, the toppings. Cheddar cheese, jalapenos, cornbread wedges, sour cream….

How could you ever get sick of that?

And yeah…this one is pretty great. I like it a lot. I like it so much that I ate it for three meals in a row right after I made it and then froze the rest for a camping trip next weekend. Chili for life, yo!

So, remember when Adam and I were young and reckless and challenged each other to a chili cook-off? I just checked and that almost exactly two years ago. Wow. Anyhoo, I can finally {two years later} admit my defeat. Sometimes it just takes some time, you know? I still think my MY chili was better, but I have finally gotten to the point where I can recognize that the contest was rigged that the majority of the chili tasters preferred a thicker chili with beef and beans.

That’s cool.

Turkey chili over noodles has it’s place always and forever, and so does a big all-American beefy chili like this one. Basically, I took the idea of Adam’s Texas-style chili and added some of my favorite things. Like coffee. More tomato. And a little bit of sugar to round out the flavor.

I was actually shocked at how good it turned out.

It tastes almost exactly like the chili I had a couple years ago at the top of a mountain in Lake Tahoe. I had finally worked up the nerve to get off the chair lift, but couldn’t for the life of me fathom the idea of snowboarding down the mountain that I had worked so hard to get up. So what did I do? I parked my snow-covered butt at the little chili hut. Later, I would be moaning and groaning while I sat in the snow, slowly edging myself down the slope on my behind while five years old would be whizzing by me at lightning speed….

I haven’t snowboarded since.

But I still have very fond memories of that chili! And this tastes almost identical to that.

Make it on a snowy day. Or a perfectly sunny day. The leftovers freeze great and are perfect for topping hot dogs with on camping trips. I like to LOAD UP my bowl with jalapenos, cheddar cheese and cornbread crumbles. Feel free to do the same and prepare for your life to be changed.

The recipe is over at PBS Food. Go get it….quickly!

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  • Sonal
    October 26, 2012 at 3:21 am

    So, I think a vegetarian version of this would be amazingg ๐Ÿ™‚ The toppings are already veg anyways! It looks perfect for a stormy evening.

  • Kristin
    October 26, 2012 at 4:06 am

    We love your Turkey Chili! I have two containers full in my freezer right now! This also looks delicious! Perfect for the cold days to come.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    October 26, 2012 at 4:35 am

    Haha I can’t say I’m very talented in the snowboarding department either, but chili eating, now that’s something I can do! I’m not a red meat eater so I’d probably sub in ground turkey, but this sounds (and looks!) awesome!

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance
    October 26, 2012 at 4:44 am

    I feel like I can’t get enough chili recipes into my hands right now. They’re so good and relatively easy to make…and everyone has their own twist to the recipe that changes up the flavors and textures. I love it. I just posted one yesterday!

    I, too, love to load up on the jalapeรฑos! Thats the best part! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Blog is the New Black
    October 26, 2012 at 4:51 am

    Need this is my life!

  • Molly @ RDexposed
    October 26, 2012 at 4:52 am

    Chili is the one dish that just isn’t the same when it’s vegetarian for me. I may cross the meat line for this one! Or your white chili!

  • joelle (on a pink typewriter)
    October 26, 2012 at 5:43 am

    Chili DEFINITELY screams fall, for sure. Love it!

  • Abby@ Totes Delish
    October 26, 2012 at 6:15 am

    Chili is always on the docket for winter, especially Sunday nights! Chili+Cornbread= perfect day!

  • Kim @ Raising The Barre
    October 26, 2012 at 6:21 am

    I could never get sick of chili. EVER.

    Also, I can’t believe that chili cook off was 2 years ago…?! Time. Flies.

  • sarah
    October 26, 2012 at 6:36 am

    My husband was standing frustrated in the spice aisle looking for cumin to no avail a couple of weeks ago. Another guy turned to him and said “it’ll be okay, dude.” To which my husband replied, “I just want to find some cumin and go home so my wife can make me some chili!” Awwwwww. Guys in the spice aisle.

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape
    October 26, 2012 at 6:47 am

    I was actually just at a chili cook-off last night! I almost competed with your turkey chili, but chickened out at the last minute. Next year I’ll have to go for it and use this one! It looks ah-mazing!!!

  • jenna k
    October 26, 2012 at 7:54 am

    wow- i can’t believe it’s been two years since your chili cookoff!
    i adore all soups in general bc of how much variety they have. you can make almost the same recipe, changing one thing, and suddenly it tastes totally different.

  • Rachel
    October 26, 2012 at 8:18 am

    Coffee in chili? Brilliant!

  • Anjuli
    October 26, 2012 at 8:22 am

    Looks amazing! Do you think this would work in the crockpot…?

  • Caity @ Moi Contre La Vie
    October 26, 2012 at 8:31 am

    I’m going to make this for the paleo-boyfriend tonight. He LOVES all of your recipes. Everything from the cookies & pies to the Cajun black beans, whenever I tell him it’s an Eat Live Run recipe he’s ready for dinner before I’m done cooking! ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Averie @ Averie Cooks
    October 26, 2012 at 8:57 am

    The chili looks hearty and good and love that it brings back Tahoe memories for you ๐Ÿ™‚

  • kim@hungryhealthygirl
    October 26, 2012 at 9:56 am

    I agree chili does scream Fall and I’ve only made it once, so far this year. I’m going to head on over to PBS and grab the recipe…..looks very yummy!

  • Caroline L.
    October 26, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Chili for a chilly day… Can’t think of anything better ๐Ÿ˜‰

  • Carrie @ The Cook's Palette
    October 26, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Yum! The weather is perfect for it here today. Love the addition of the coffee!

  • Adrienne @ Happy Ramblings
    October 26, 2012 at 11:08 am

    That chili looks delicious…I’m sitting here at work waiting for lunch, drooling over your pictures ๐Ÿ˜‰ Never heard of coffee in chili, going to try though!!

  • Anne Kendall
    October 26, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Just wanted to say I popped in for the first time today and l.o.v.e.d. what I saw! Thanks for the inspiration, and more importantly, the honesty! I’ll definitely be back!

  • Maggie @ A Bitchin' Kitchen
    October 26, 2012 at 12:14 pm

    This looks like my kind of chili, especially with all those yummy jalapenos! I basically want chili to be my dinner every night, all winter long ๐Ÿ™‚

  • amy walters, aDESIGNdock
    October 26, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    Chili has always been a fall favourite of mine; and, this one looks so delightful! Cheese, corn bread, beef and beans…even coffee…it’s all there. Love.it.all. ; )

  • Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner
    October 26, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    It looks delicious!!!! ๐Ÿ˜€ Chili is always one of my favorites. ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Jen
    October 26, 2012 at 4:33 pm

    I just read the first 40 pages of your book as a sample in ibooks – then bought it! Looking forward to reading the rest. I admire you having the guts to staying true to you and not worrying about fitting in. I hope I can do the same.

  • Tammie Grey
    October 27, 2012 at 1:17 am

    i like this recipe. very unique

  • Jodea
    October 27, 2012 at 5:24 am

    I’m glad I’m not the only person who’s suffered the humiliation of sliding down the slope on my bum! I’m glad I tried snowboarding, but it was just too scary!

  • Sandy @ Re
    October 27, 2012 at 8:20 am

    Love this recipe, Jenna. Perfect for a cold, rainy day in Oregon! xo

  • jan
    October 28, 2012 at 5:32 am

    Mmmm that sounds so good. And coffee, who would’ve thought of that ingredient??

  • Lauren @ Part Time House Wife
    October 28, 2012 at 11:16 am

    Hahaha! I have the same problem with skiing! I freeze at the top of the hill and go into full blown panic attacks. One time I had to take my skis off and walk my pathetic rear down the side of the “easy” hill. The last time we went I busted into my freak out ritual and was greeted by a ski instructor who told me my husband is waiting for us at the bottom of the hill. Lol I at least made it down on skis that time!

    I’ll take this hearty chili over skiing any day!

  • Alicia
    October 28, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    We made this for lunch today, and it was fantastic! I used chipotle chili powder for some smoked flavor. I also used chili beans in medium sauce for some additional spice! Thanks for sharing.

  • RJ
    October 28, 2012 at 4:38 pm

    Made this today for the upcoming week of cooler weather! Delicious! My mom puts coffee in her baked beans but I never thought of it in chili!

  • Olviya@servingsisters.com
    October 28, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    I don’t know why I never thought to add coffee into my chili. Two of my favorite things combined are bound to create something amazing!

    I love that you took a good recipe and made it even better!

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    October 30, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    I made this tonight and it was perfect! and Yummy! and oh-so-good! I did add green pepper with the onion ( a personal preference ) and a good dash at cayenne at the end. This may be my newest chili recipe. So Good!

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    November 4, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    I made this tonight along with your green chile and cheddar cornbread for a Sunday girls dinner and they were both a huge hit! Will definitely be making this again on a cold winter afternoon. Delicious!!

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