Beer Bacon Chocolate Chili – YUM!
Have you noticed how everyone’s been posting fall comfort foods this week? I think it’s because in many parts of the country the weather has suddenly changed practically overnight, from summer to fall. Here in the midwest it’s been between the high 40s – mid 70s all week. The wind’s been blowing and the leaves are starting to turn yellow.
I love fall, so today when it was chilly and raining out, I decided to make a pot of chili. Not just any chili but Beer Bacon Chocolate Chili.
Over the summer I happened to connect with Renee on Linkedin, and read how she had been on The Today Show for this recipe she created. I viewed the recipe and knew I had to try it just as soon as the hot temperatures broke. Today was that day.
I followed Renee’s recipe but made a few slight changes based upon ingredients that I had on hand.
I typically make a sweet chili since I tend to love sweets. However, this is a robust chili, I guess you’d say. It’s thick, meaty, and packed with flavor. You can spice it up however you like and of course, as with any recipe, make the changes to suit your tastes.
Here’s Renee’s version, and in red, is how I changed it. I’ve also added my photos that follow the directions. Try the recipe below, you’ll love it!
Beer Bacon Chocolate Chili
serves 4-6
recipe adapted from Renee of Eat, Live, Blog
- 1/4 lb Bacon (chopped )
- 1.5 lb Sirloin tips (chopped into bite sized pieces) I used 1 3/4 lbs. sirloin steak, cut bite size
- 1 – poblano pepper (seeded and chopped) used 2 poblano’s
- 1 – fresh Fresno pepper (seeded and chopped) Feel free to sub your favorite pepper didn’t use
- 1 – large onion (chopped)
- 28 ounce Crushed tomatoes
- 28 ounce Diced Tomatoes
- 2- 14.5 oz of your choice beans such as cannelloni, kidney beans, black beans, etc…
- 1/4 cup chili powder (I recommend Penzey’s or Whole Foods)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar used dark brown
- 1- 12 ounce bottle dark beer (I use any of Dogfish Head varieties, but prefer the Indian Brown Ale or Chicory Stout) used Guinness Stout
- 1 ounce of unsweetened bakers chocolate chopped finely, I used, Vosges “Red Fire Bar
- Salt to taste
- Brown the diced bacon in a large pot
- Once bacon is crispy, remove it from the pot with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel covered plate
- Add meat to the bacon drippings and brown well.
- You may need to drain the meat in the middle of browning.
- Once the meat is brown, remove it from the pan and set aside.
- Add the peppers to the pot and cook until they start to brown, approximately 3 minutes.
- Add onions to the peppers and continue to brown until the onions just start to become translucent.
- Add the meat and bacon to the onions and peppers and brown for an additional 5 – 8 minutes.
- Add the diced tomatoes to the mixture and stir well.
- Over medium-high cook until the mixture just starts to boil.
- Add the beans to the pot and cook until it just starts to boil again.
- Add the crushed tomatoes and cook, again, until it just starts to boil.
- Add the beer to the pot, mix well, and bring to a boil, allow to boil for 30 seconds
- Stir in the chili powder and brown sugar.
- When the mixture JUST starts to boil again, stir in shaved chocolate I put 3 broken squares, of the Vosges, into the pot.
- Bring to a slow boil and salt to taste. Make sure not to over-salt, as flavors will develop as the chili simmers.
- The thickness of your chili depends on your ingredients, if your chili is too thin, add a teaspoon of tomato paste, stir, test thickness and repeat if needed. my chili was plenty thick, just right
- Reduce heat to simmer, cover and let simmer (stirring occasionally) for approximately 2 hours.
- Ladle chili into a bowl and sprinkle with your favorite toppings such as diced onions, shredded cheese, or sour cream
Hi, I’m Vicki Bensinger! I have been teaching culinary classes throughout Missouri since 1992. I offer personalized private culinary classes for individuals and small groups in the comfort of your home or organization.
I can see how this is OH, MY delicious! It looks amazing! I was never a chili fan, until I started making my own! GOOD chili is a thing of beauty!
(BTW – I’m now following you on Google follower…I don’t know why I wasn’t before!)
This is really good chili. I kept going back for spoonfuls. It would be easy to cut the calories. You could use tenderloin, which is lower in fat but higher priced. You could use a light beer and I suppose leave out the chocolate or reduce it the flavor would be different but still good.
I loved that chocolate bar I used. It had chipotle peppers and chilies in it with a hint of cinnamon. It definitely added to the richness of the broth.
Thank you for adding yourself to Google Friend Connect. You put me over the 100th person. Hurray!
Have a great weekend
Hi Vicki! I’m here for the first time and thanks Ann for sending you to my blog first. 🙂 Oh I believe you! This chili looks so delicious. I’m going to take your words and bookmarked already. It looks really delicious!
Thank you so much for trying my recipe! I am so glad that you let me know so I can now follow your blog, it’s beautiful! You are about the 5th person who has let me know they tried this recipe and lived it, which makes me so, so happy! As a blogger I often wonder if my recipes come out as good for others as they do for me, so thanks for the validation, it feels great!
I just added you to my google reader, so I will definitely stay in touch!
One clarification, I entered it in the Today Show contest but sadly was not chosen to appear…their loss 🙂
You’re right Renee it was their loss, it’s delicious. I’m like you, it’s so nice to hear when people make comments about the recipes we post after they’ve attempted them as well. It’s a great feeling to know you were able to share something that others like as well.
I’m going to try and control myself from having the chili for breakfast this morning. I literally thought about it all night it was that good. Thanks again for sharing it. Have a great weekend.
Hi Nami so glad you stopped by. I hope when you try the recipe you enjoy it as much as we have.
This is a beautiful and delicious dish with all the quality ingredients you have put into it. I love chilli and this is just right up my alley! Thanks for sharing!
Um wow this looks like one of the best chilis I’ve ever seen! So glad I found your blog, it’s great! I am your newest follower, and I can’t wait to make this chili 🙂
http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com
@chopinandmysaucepan – yes the ingredients are high quality and it shows in the flavor. If you don’t want to purchase the Vosges chocolate feel free to use what you like or have on hand, I know you’ll love it. My husband and I just had some more with lunch.
I love the piece you wrote about 9/11 and the world on your blog, it was beautiful!
@Desi – Thank you for following me Desi. I’ll definitely check out your blog. Please try the chili, it’s delicious and perfect for fall.
Wow, this chili sounds so good with beer bacon and chocolate, awesome!
It really was good. It’s all gone now. Try it, I think you’ll like it
i am making this as we speak. but alas, because i am a neophyte cook, i didn’t drain the beans! it is now simmering and i have the lid cocked a little so it won’t be too thin. crazy thing is, it’s actually pretty thick and still tastes great! also THANKS FOR THE STEP BY STEP PHOTOS! i know what all the ingredients should look like before they go in the pot. essential for me when i don’t know the difference between chop and julienne! thanks!!
Not to worry hollyjolly about not draining the beans. I do it mostly to reduce the sodium content. The chili will still taste perfect. Let me know what you think. Thank you for your comment.
hi. I’m entered in a chili cook off for a local non profit – Is there a way I can print this recipe? Looks so delicious