What is a good secret ingredient for chili?

Question

I was wondering what kind of things people use to make their chili taste better, or different.

Answer 1

Roasted Chillies, they'll taste a little more fruity and not be quite as hot.

Answer 2

My Chili is different every time I make it-depending on my mood and what I have access to at the time. Here are a few different things I use alone or in combinations-

coca cola
brown sugar
beer
cilantro
goya recaito

Answer 3

Blend your own chili powder from dried chiles and freshly ground spices.
Who can tell how long a bottle of chili powder sat on the shelf at the grocer? (Just last week I saw one market with Easter wrapped candies still set out for sale).

Answer 4

It is funny that you asked this. I am a dental assistant and once a year we go to a dental convention, and one of the things they do is have a chili competition. Last year my group got second place, even though most of our competition admitted that we should have won first.

Our secret ingredient was Bud light beer. We also grilled our fresh veggies.

We are going back next month, so I hope this year I move into first place.

Answer 5

masa flour (a few tablespoons in my 6 qt crockpot)
beer (about 1/2 a bottle)
and I try to use only Brooks brand chili beans with gravy that I can only find at my super Walmart.

Answer 6

Cinnamon

Answer 7

Then it wouldn't be a secret... Mostly, I hear beer as a secret ingredient. I would recommend stout, not cheap tasteless American beer. Also, a tablespoon of cocoa powder (not in the beer version, though)

Answer 8

a can of chipotles in adobo -- put the whole thing in a blender and dump it in your chili
2 small bottles of malta. its a latin soft drink that gives the chili a better flavor than beer and adds some sweetness

Answer 9

Red wine works for me.

Also, a little sugar to kill the acid of the tomatoes. Sometimes a little chicken base in stead of beef base.

Answer 10

Dark chocolate