Chili for a Crowd

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Cook: 1 hour

Makes

24 servings (6 quarts)

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023
This chili for a crowd was handed down to me by my aunt, who said she got it from a "grizzled Montana mountain man." I added some zesty ingredients to come up with the final version. Hot food is something that my husband's family isn't accustomed to, so I adjust the spices for them. In fact, with a few simple alterations to the "heat" index, I can serve this chili to anyone. —Lisa Humphreys, Wasilla, Alaska
Chili for a Crowd Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds ground beef
  • 2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 4 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans or 4 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans or black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 pound smoked kielbasa, sliced and halved
  • 2 large onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • 2 cans (8 ounces each) tomato sauce
  • 2/3 cup hickory-flavored barbecue sauce
  • 1-1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
  • 5 fresh banana peppers, seeded and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground mustard
  • 2 teaspoons instant coffee granules
  • 1 teaspoon each dried oregano, thyme and sage
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions

  1. In an 8-qt. stockpot or Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; crumble beef; drain.
  2. Stir in the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Test Kitchen Tips
  • It’s important to drain and rinse canned beans because the thick, cloudy liquid inside often contains excess sodium and starch. Doing this can improve the taste, texture and nutritional content of a dish.
  • Chili powder is a seasoning blend made primarily from dried chili peppers. Other ingredients commonly include garlic, onion, salt, oregano, cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon and even cocoa powder.
  • Find more contest-winning soups, stews and chili recipes here.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 cup: 207 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 422mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 3g fiber), 15g protein.