January 23, 2013

Sausage and Beef Chili

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Packed with flavor, this sausage and beef chili is perfect for cozy days! Filled with spicy Italian sausage, ground beef, veggies, beans and beer, it's hard to beat. And it freezes beautifully. Dairy free and gluten free options included.

A white bowl filled with Sausage and Beef Chili with cornbread in the background.

Over the last few years, I have been searching for a chili recipe that both my husband and I would love.

I can't even count how many different versions I have tried, from vegetarian chili to regular beef chili and everything in between.  Seriously – we've gone through a lot.

But none was ever quite right and one of us would end up not really enjoying it.

After each batch, I would always say that was it – I was giving up on chili – maybe it was something we just didn't like.

Despite what I said, I've always had it in the back of my mind.  I couldn't get over it.

The perfectionist in me knew that there had to be a version that we both would want to make again.

A bowl of Beef and Sausage Chili with a spoon to the side.

This chili was a last ditch effort.  And funny enough, we loved it.

I think the key here is the spicy Italian sausage – it added just the right amount of kick to this chili.  Not too much, but not too little either.

We also loved that this version is full of various beans, some veggies, and the beer doesn't hurt either.  It gives it that extra layer of flavor.

Serve this chili along with some honey corn bread muffins and you've got one heck of a meal.

I should also mention that this freezes incredibly well – I pulled another container out of my freezer to thaw out this week.  We're excited to have it again for lunch very soon.

Two white bowls of Italian Sausage Chili.

Additional Chili Recipes You Might Enjoy:

  • Sweet Potato Turkey Chili
  • Slow Cooker Green Chicken Chili
  • Pumpkin Lentil Chili
  • Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Chili
  • White Bean Salsa Verde Chili

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I'd love to hear from you.

Ingredients

For the chili:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium orange bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
  • ½ pound lean ground beef
  • 4 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (12 ounce) bottle beer*
  • 3 (14 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Serving ideas:

  • shredded regular or dairy free cheese
  • plain greek yogurt or dairy free plain yogurt (or cashew cream)
  • sliced avocado
  • chopped cilantro and / or green onions

Instructions

  1. Add the olive oil to a large stockpot or Dutch oven set over medium high heat. When hot, add in the onion and peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, until just fragrant.
  2. Next, add in the sausage and beef. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat into smaller pieces as it cooks. Cook until browned and cooked through.
  3. Add in the chili powder, cumin and oregano. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes.
  4. Next, stir in the tomato paste. Add in the beer and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Allow the beer to come to a simmer and then add in the diced tomatoes (with all the liquid) and the three types of beans.
  5. Cover and simmer over medium low / low for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.**
  6. Add salt and pepper to taste if needed (I didn't add any). Spoon into serving bowls and top as desired!

Notes

*To keep this gluten free - use a gluten free beer or substitute with broth.

To keep this dairy free - be sure to use a dairy free beer (and serve with appropriate toppings).

**After the 2 hours, I turned the heat all the way down to low and allowed it to go for another hour (since we weren't ready to eat). We thought that it tasted even better this way (as opposed to after just the two hours) since the flavors were able to develop even more. However, you can definitely eat this after the two - it tastes great that way as well.

Adapted from Jamie Deen

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 465 Total Fat: 24g Saturated Fat: 8g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 17g Cholesterol: 58mg Sodium: 744mg Carbohydrates: 33g Fiber: 7g Sugar: 5g Protein: 28g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional's advice.