Ultimate Family-Friendly Chili Recipe

Step 1

Prepare the oven by adjusting the rack to about 6 inches from the heat source and preheating the broiler. Get a baking sheet ready by lining it with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Step 2

Lay out the green bell pepper on the foil-lined baking sheet and let it get cozy under the broiler. Make sure to turn the pepper every 5 minutes or so, allowing the skin to blacken and bubble up, which should take roughly 20 minutes. Once done, transfer the roasted pepper into a resealable plastic bag, seal it up, and let it rest for a bit.

Step 3

In a trusty Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook up a storm with some ground beef and sausage until they're browned and crumbly, which usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain any excess grease and transfer the meat to a separate bowl.

Step 4

In the same Dutch oven, add a drizzle of olive oil over medium-low heat and sauté the onions and garlic until they turn translucent and fragrant, around 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 5

Retrieve the roasted pepper from the bag, peel off the blackened skin, and chop it up. Toss the chopped pepper into the mix along with the cooked meat, chili beans, coffee, green chiles, cocoa powder, cumin, and chili powder. Give everything a good stir and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until all flavors meld beautifully, approximately 5 minutes.

Step 6

Introduce crushed tomatoes and water to the chili, seasoning with salt to taste. Bring it all to a boil, cover the Dutch oven, lower the heat, and let it simmer, stirring every so often, for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle. Uncover and continue simmering until the chili thickens up to your liking, usually about 30 more minutes.