What is the secret ingredient in your homemade chili?

Question

wow! some fantastic responses - thanks! only fair to put this one to a vote...

Answer 1

I put beer in it. And I use fresh peppers onions and garlic.
You want my method? Here's what I do to make a pot of chili.

Dice onions, garlic and peppers (whichever kinds you want- poblano, jalepeno, serrano, habenero- whatever your heat preference) and drop into a pot with a little olive oil in the bottom. Saute until the veggies start to get soft, then add some ground beef and cook through. Dump in a can/bottle of beer and let that boil off for about a minute before adding some crushed tomatoes (big can) and some tomato sauce (regular sized can) I also like both kidney beans and black beans in my chili, drain them but don't bother rinsing, and add a can of drained corn if you want to- I like it in there. Season to taste with chili powder, salt and pepper and cumin, and simmer to let the flavors mingle. You can also substitute the ground beef with shredded chicken breasts- poach them in the beer, then shred them up, use the beer in the recipe since it has all that chicken flavor going on.

MMM! I might have chili for dinner tonight!

Answer 2

Firehouse Chili Recipe courtesy Jim Campbell



Recipe Summary
Difficulty: Medium
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 10 to 15 servings
User Rating:




Sauce:
12 ounces tomato paste
16 ounces tomato sauce
1 (24-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
3 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1/2 cup chili powder
2 tablespoons parsley
2 teaspoons oregano
1 (24-ounce) can pork and beans
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 (24-ounce) can chili hot beans
1 tablespoon chipotle powder
1 teaspoon habenero chile powder
4 whole red habaneros
6 jalapenos
2 New Mexican chiles
1/2 pound elbow macaroni or spaghetti
1 pound steak, cut of choice
1 pound ground beef
1 pound ground pork
1/2 (12-ounce) can or bottle of beer

Serving suggestions: crackers and cheese


In a large kettle on low simmer combine tomato paste, tomato sauce, kidney beans, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, chili powder, parsley, oregano, pork and beans, salt, pepper, chili hot beans, chipotle powder, habenero powder, habaneros, jalapenos, New Mexico chiles, and dry pasta and bring to a simmer. While that is simmering, grill the steak, and brown the pork and beef in a large saute pan. Drain the meat, season to taste, and add to sauce. Add the beer and cook for 30 minutes. Serve with crackers and cheese.

Answer 3

Use a few different types of dried chiles.Scrape out the seeds.Put them in a blender filled with hot water and soak for at least 15 minutes.Make sure the top is on tight,then blend.I use a base of homemade chicken stock,then add the chile mixture.A bit of cinnamon and un-sweetened co-co powder give it the old world Mexico taste.Sauteed onion and only a bit of garlic.Brown stew meat with ground beef.Add the liquid chile mixture,a can of chopped tomatoes,a splash of red vinegar,a splash of worstishire sauce,3 splashes of soy sauce.(i know it sounds weird,but this is a cook-off winner).2 squirts of yellow mustard and a splash of red wine if you have an opened bottle on hand.A pinch of white sugar to calm the acid taste.Simmer on the stove for 1 hour stirring ocassianly.Add red beans and pintos if you like your chile with them.Stir in 1\4 cup of cilantro in the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Serve with sour cream,sharp cheddar,sliced avocado and white rice if desired.Crush tortila chips on top if you like crunchy,chopped white onion is a good garnish too.Enjoy....

Answer 4

LOL@Neighbor's cat

I use Dave's Ultimate Insanity hot sauce. One drop intensifies the flavors of the chili and adds a small amount of heat.

Don't tell anyone.

Answer 5

I grind my own chilis, never buy powder, but the real secret ingredient is one can of cheap beer, like a lager or pilsener. I usually use Tecate.

Answer 6

Roasted green chiles, beef broth, chunked up potatoes & fried ground beef, season w/salt & pepper to taste. Nothing else is needed except may some tortillas and a Corona.

Answer 7

Cinnamon.

Answer 8

A can of Campbell's French Onion Soup.
Don't dilute it with water, just throw it in.

Answer 9

beer and worshtishire which goes well with beef the beer releases flavor compounds from the tomato that is impossible to release without the alcohol

Answer 10

a whole bottle of ketchup, hamburger, kidney beans, onions, salt pepper and a TON of chili powder.