Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe

This “Mom’s Award-Winning Chili” recipe is a deeply flavored and hearty dish, combining ground beef and pork with a complex blend of spices, tomatoes, and beans. The secret touches of masa harina and semi-sweet chocolate add an incredible depth that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Sauté Onion: In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottom pot, heat the neutral-flavored oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften.
2. Toast Spices: Add the chili powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground oregano, onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper to the pot. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices, enhancing their flavor.
3. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.
4. Brown Meats: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and ground pork to the pot. Stir and break the meat into small pieces as it cooks until it is fully browned.
5. Simmer Chili Base: Add the canned diced tomatoes (with their juices), pinto beans, and bay leaves to the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for 90-120 minutes, stirring about every 15 minutes to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
6. Finish Chili: After simmering, remove and discard the bay leaves. Stir in the semi-sweet baking chocolate and masa harina. Continue to cook for 5-10 additional minutes, stirring well to fully blend in the chocolate and allow the masa harina to thicken the chili.