Ratfink Chili

This is a chili recipe my boyfriend and I came up with - it's nice and spicy without being overwhelming thanks to the additional of a whole habanero, and has a nice veggies/beans to meat ratio. It's also perfect for chili dogs! Lots of chili powder gives it a beautiful color and makes it tasty tasty.

It's also better the next day - so it's a great recipe to make ahead and reheat!

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Step 1: Ingredients!

for the chili:

one 14 oz can crushed tomatoes OR tomato sauce (try for a low sodium or no sodium variety)
two 14 oz cans chili beans
one pound of ground beef (ground turkey also works, as does faux ground beef for you veggies!)
half a beer - roughly one cup - choose a beer you enjoy!
two onions, any color
one bell pepper - red, orange, or yellow - sweeter is better.
three cloves of garlic
three tablespoons chili powder
one habanero pepper - or, if you're scared of that, a chopped fresh jalapeno!
salt and pepper to taste

(Pro tip: after years of failed chili recipes, I have decided that the perfect tomato/bean ratio is two cans of beans to one can of tomatoes. You do that, you really can't go wrong. Too much tomato anything will turn a fantastic chili into a horrible ketchup-y concoction that cannot be saved.)

for serving:

sour cream
shredded cheese
fritos (Tyler eats it this way all the time!)
pickled jalapenos
chopped onion

tools:

medium pot with lid, preferably heavy bottomed
knife
cutting board

susanchen2011 says: Jul 12, 2012. 10:21 PM

i think that they look really yummy.

maltesergr8 says: Apr 18, 2012. 5:59 AM

Nothing better than a bowl of chili on a rainy day, and it's pouring down out there ;)

Will definitely be making this chili recipe, less the hot peppers -- we can't eat them, but I'm sure the chili is delicious without them.

Thanks for sharing your great recipes!!

Beth

150

l8nite says: Dec 7, 2011. 10:24 PM

Im always on the lookout for new chili recipes, thank you for sharing

Prometheus Now says: Dec 7, 2011. 7:35 PM

Best. Chili. Ever. Had some family over and made this recipe. We grilled up some bratwursts and topped them with the Chili. Everyone agreed it was one of the best Chili dishes they've had in years.

wickedchild says: Nov 21, 2011. 4:11 AM

I never heard of chili with beer b4 sound good. Thanks keep up the good posts and don't worry about what others say because the best cooks aren't afraid of doing thing different. I was going to make my chili today but now I going to try this instead

samD43 says: Oct 26, 2011. 11:47 AM

Sounds good, but "Real Chili" does not have beans. That is a Texas/Oklahoma addition.
Originally called Chili con Carne (chili with meat)
Just my .$02 worth.
samD

acarden says: Nov 14, 2011. 12:41 AM

Well according to wikipedia, traditional "Texas Chili" is without beans or any other vegetables except the chili itself.d :)

JohnJY says: Oct 30, 2011. 3:13 PM

Dear Jessy Ratfink,
My family has just finished their bowls of your chili we made this evening for dinner. It was fantastic. It was the best chili we ever had,and that was the consensuses of the the whole family. My brother even liked it, and he so picky! I myself finished two bowls. (Personally I added cheese and sour cream! My mom preferred both of the latter with Fritos, my dad crackers, and my brother ate it plain.) We have dedicated this chili as the chili we will make from now on and thank you for such a tremendous recipe! :D Looking down the comments I see that many have yet to try this chili, and for them I am truly sorry, as they have not eaten the best chili ever. Ever.

With admiration,
JohnJY

xfirexstarzx says: Oct 28, 2011. 8:43 AM

I think I'm going to make this recipe this weekend. I like your addition of beer. I never really thought about adding beer, but I'll give it a try. I think I'm going to throw in some mushrooms, cumin, and ground mustard too. Thanks for the recipe. I'll post how it turns out!

Boreh says: Oct 26, 2011. 9:40 AM

Making this tonight!