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Kentucky Bourbon Chili

A hearty ground beef chili with bell peppers, black and Great Northern beans, warm spices, orange juice and a splash of bourbon.

From VinePair

chilibeefbourbonamericanone-pot
Illustration of Kentucky Bourbon Chili
Illustration

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 1/2 tsp garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried ground sage
  • 1 onion, medium, diced
  • 2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp bourbon smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 2 tsp chipotle pepper in adobo, minced
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes, canned
  • 3 cups water or beef broth
  • 15 1/2 oz black beans, canned, well drained
  • 15 1/2 oz Great Northern (large white) beans, canned, well drained
  • 1/2 cup bourbon
  • sour cream, to garnish
  • cheddar, shredded, to garnish
  • green onions, thinly sliced, to garnish
  • black pepper, to taste

Steps

1Brown the beef

  1. Brown the 1 1/2 lb ground beef in a 4-qt Dutch oven.
  2. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  3. Drain off the excess fat.
  4. Remove the meat from the pan and set it aside.

2Soften the vegetables

  1. Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pan over medium heat.
  2. Once the oil is warm, about 1 minute, add 2 1/2 tsp garlic, minced.
  3. Add 1 tsp dried oregano.
  4. Add 1 tsp dried ground sage.
  5. Add 1 medium onion, diced.
  6. Add 2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced.
  7. Sauté until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so they don't burn.

3Deglaze the pan and build the chili

  1. Deglaze the pan with 1/2 cup orange juice.
  2. Add 3 tbsp chili powder.
  3. Add 2 tsp bourbon smoked paprika.
  4. Add 2 tsp ground cumin.
  5. Add 2 tsp minced chipotle pepper in adobo.
  6. Add 1 tsp kosher salt.
  7. Add the 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes.

4Simmer the chili

  1. Bring to a simmer.
  2. Stir in 3 cups water or beef broth.
  3. Add the 15 1/2 oz can of black beans, well drained.
  4. Add the 15 1/2 oz can of Great Northern beans, well drained.
  5. Add the browned meat.
  6. Simmer for 15 minutes.
  7. Add 1/2 cup bourbon.
  8. Simmer for a further 15 to 20 minutes, until the stew reaches a thick, hearty consistency.
  9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

5Serve

  1. Serve with sour cream.
  2. Top with shredded cheddar.
  3. Scatter thinly sliced green onions over the top.