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Chili for a Crowd

Name: Chili for a Crowd
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 24 servings (6 quarts).
Cuisine: North America, Mexican
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

8 reviews

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 25 min. Cook: 1 hour

Makes

24 servings (6 quarts)

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

In an 8-qt. stockpot or Dutch oven, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; crumble beef; drain.
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.

Chili for a Crowd

Total Time

Makes

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