The Only Old-Fashioned Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Perfect this old-fashioned chili recipe with straightforward ingredients and deep flavors for hearty winter dinners, summer cookouts, and lake day meals.
The Only Old-Fashioned Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Need
This recipe comes to us from Casey Bard, founder of Tacticalories Seasoning Co. and longtime collaborator and friend of Montana Knife Company.
6
15 minutes
1 hours
320
American
Lunch
This old-fashioned chili recipe brings back the straightforward, no-frills approach to a classic American dish.
I’ve spent years perfecting this old-school chili recipe, focusing on building deep flavors without unnecessary complications. It’s hearty enough for a winter dinner but versatile enough for summer cookouts. Load it on hot dogs for the perfect lake day meal!
Ingredients
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- 2 lbs. ground meat (beef, venison, sausage — clean out the freezer)
- 1 onion, diced with a clean, sharp chef’s knife
- 1 jalapeño, finely diced with the same chef’s knife (remove the seeds for less heat)
- 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped into uniform pieces
- 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz.) crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- Half a beer (drink the other half while cooking)
- 3 Tbsp. of your favorite chili seasoning mix
- 2 Tbsp. salt
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- Optional: 1 can (19 oz.) kidney beans, drained
- Optional: 2 Tbsp. hot sauce
- Optional: 2 tsp. liquid smoke
Directions
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Heat a pot over medium-high heat, preferably cast iron. Add the meat and don’t disturb it for about five minutes. This creates a flavorful sear that’s essential for authentic old-fashioned chili.
Break up the meat with a knife-edge spatula and cook until no pink remains. Remove from pot and drain fat.
Add onion, jalapeño, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook until translucent, about five to seven minutes.
Clear a spot for the tomato paste and cook for three minutes before combining with the vegetables. This step expands the old-fashioned chili recipe’s flavor profile.
Return the meat to the pan and season everything with your chili seasoning mix.
Add remaining ingredients, reduce heat to simmer, and stir occasionally for about an hour. The longer your old-school chili simmers, the better the flavors meld together.
For serving, slice hot dogs lengthwise with a sharp knife, creating a cradle for the chili. Or, serve the old-school chili in bowls topped with cheese, sour cream, oyster crackers, and/or chives.
