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    Home » Recipes » Easy Dinner » Red Chili recipe: Easy Exciting Comfort Food

    LAST UPDATED: November 4, 2022 • FIRST PUBLISHED: January 23, 2020 By Toni Dash 38 Comments

    Red Chili recipe: Easy Exciting Comfort Food

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Red Chili

    Red Chili is an easy, comfort food recipe that’s perfect for a crowd. Two types of pork sausage, bold spices, loads of vegetables and beans make this an unforgettable main dish any night of the week.

    Red Chili

    Chili is a universal cold weather recipe.

    Eating a steaming hot bowl is like being wrapped in a blanket by a roaring fire!

    Red Chili changes up traditional beef and bean chili with two types of ground pork sausage. 

    Full-bodied chili spices and a couple of unexpected ingredients make this recipe perfect any night of the week.

    It’s great for football parties and gatherings. Set out toppings and let guests serve themselves! 

    Jump to:
    • Red Chili Ingredients
    • How to Make Red Chili – Step-by-Step
    • Better the Next Day!
    • How to Store Leftover Red Chili 
    • More Chili Recipes You’ll Love
    • More Easy Dinner Recipes to Try
    • Recipe

    Red Chili Ingredients

    Big flavor is key for this chili recipe. All the ingredients are easy to find and contribute to create a mouthwatering chili.

    Don’t let the length of the ingredients in the recipe card scare you.

    Though Red Chili has lots of ingredients, they are easy and fast to prepare.

    Vegetables

    Classic fresh and canned vegetables contribute to add wholesome nutrition and great flavor:

    • Onion
    • Green Pepper
    • Celery
    • Carrot
    • Garlic
    • Crushed Tomatoes – canned and undrained
    • Italian-style Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
    • Tomato Sauce

    Pro Tip for Preparing Vegetables

    I use a mini chopper for all recipes like this red chili with lots of vegetables that are chopped. 

    Add them and they are chopped in minutes.

    The only clean up is putting the chopper bowl in the dishwasher too!

    spices for red chili in a bowl

    Spices

    • Chili Powder
    • Cumin
    • Garlic Powder
    • Salt – I prefer Kosher Salt because it tastes less salty and is easier to sprinkle into a dish due to the size of the granules
    • Black Pepper
    • Cayenne Pepper
    • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – this is a secret ingredient that makes the flavor rich without tasting like chocolate.
    • Brown Sugar – a little sugar make the flavors in the chili pop!

    Meat and Beans

    Two types of loose/bulk pork sausage combine for great flavor and hearty texture.

    Beans add more protein for a stick-to-your-ribs hunger satisfying chili.

    • Regular Pork Sausage (bulk)
    • Hot Pork Sausage
    • Canned Pinto Beans

    Cheddar Cheese

    Cheese if often reserved just for topping. In this Red Chili recipe it is melted into the chili!

    What Chili Toppings to Use

    Adding toppings on red chili is most of the fun! Here are some favorites:

    • Sour cream
    • Grated cheese
    • sliced Scallions 
    • chopped Cilantro 
    • crumbled Tortilla Chips for some crunch
    Red Chili in white bowls close up

    How to Make Red Chili – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1: In a large stock pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil. When the oil is heated add the vegetables. Cook until tender (5-7 minutes) .

    STEP 2: Add both pork sausages. Cook through breaking apart with a heatproof spatula as it cooks (photo 1).

    red chili recipe steps photo collage 1

    STEP 3: Add remaining ingredients (photos 2-4) EXCEPT cheese. Stir to combine.

    STEP 4: Simmer over medium-low heat for at least 20-30 minutes (photo 5).

    Red Chili recipe Process shots 2

    STEP 5: Stir in the grated cheese before serving (photo 6-7). Top with chopped cilantro, sour cream and more cheese (optional).

    Serve with this delicious Cornbread recipe!

    Better the Next Day!

    A fantastic trait of red chili is that it tastes even better the next day! The flavors come together with time and it seems to improve!

    How to Store Leftover Red Chili 

    Refrigerator

    Once the chili has cooled, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

    Freezer

    After the chili has cooled add it to airtight freezer-safe containers.

    Allow 3/4-inch between the surface of the chili and the top of the container (for expansion).

    Store up to 3 months.

    Red Chili in white bowls

    More Chili Recipes You’ll Love

    • Instant Pot White Chicken Chili (or this conventional White Chili) 
    • Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili with Tangy Baked Beans
    • Bison Chili with Black Beans
    • Instant Pot Vegan Chili with 4 Beans
    • Southwestern Instant Pot Chili

    More Easy Dinner Recipes to Try

    • Creamy Mushroom Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Spicy Sausage Skillet Lasagna
    • Chinese Chicken Salad
    • Quiche Lorraine
    • Slow Cooker Sweet Sesame Baby Back Ribs

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, TWITTER and PINTEREST!

    Recipe

    Red Chili

    Red Chili

    Red Chili is a fast and easy comfort food recipe. Brimming with pork sausage, pinto beans, loads of vegetables and exciting spices. Even better the next day!
    5 from 23 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes
    Servings: 8 6-8
    Calories: 546kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 medium Yellow Onion diced
    • 1 Green pepper diced
    • 1 Carrot finely diced
    • 2 stalks Celery finely diced
    • 2 cloves Garlic minced
    • 1 pound Regular pork sausage
    • 1 pound Hot pork sausage
    • 2 1/2 tablespoons Chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon Cumin
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic powder
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper optional depending on desired spice level
    • 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 cups Beef broth
    • 1 28-ounce can Crushed tomatoes undrained
    • 1 15-ounce can Italian style diced tomatoes and green chiles undrained
    • 1 15-ounce can Pinto beans drained
    • 1 8-ounce can Tomato sauce
    • 1 cup Cheddar cheese shredded

    Instructions

    • In a large pot over medium high heat, combine oil, onion, green pepper, celery, carrot, and garlic. Cook until softened and fork tender, about 5-7 minutes.
    • Once vegetables are tender, add both types of pork sausage. Stir occasionally until pork sausage is completely cooked through.
    • Add remaining ingredients (except cheese): spices, brown sugar, cocoa powder, beef broth, tomatoes, pinto beans, tomato sauce. Stir to fully combine.
    • Allow chili to simmer over medium-low heat for a minimum of 20-30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
    • Once ready to serve, stir in cheddar cheese until melted. Garnish with cilantro or parsley, sour cream, or cheese. It's even better the next day!

    Video

    Notes

    To make vegetables prep faster, use a mini chopper.
    If using a can of Rotel for the diced tomatoes and green chiles, I don’t recommend using the “Chili Fixin’” which includes more spices. It’s too overpowering given all of the spices already being used in this recipe.
    Red Chili Leftovers:
    Refrigerator: store in a sealed container for 3 to 4 days.
    Freezer: pack cooled chili in airtight freezer-proof containers (with 3/4-inch space between the surface of the chili and the rim of the container for expansion) and freeze for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 546kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 1953mg | Potassium: 1129mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 2775IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 222mg | Iron: 5mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!

    Red Chili is a spicy, sassy recipe to take the chill out of any day!

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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lily says

      January 27, 2020 at 10:05 pm

      I’m loving its chili season. Great step by step recipe!

      Reply
    2. Ntensibe Edgar Michael says

      January 27, 2020 at 2:19 am

      5 stars
      Nnnniiiccceeeeee! I think this recipe can work even in any other cold weather that isn’t winter necessarily, right? I wanna try it back home!

      Reply
    3. Beth says

      January 26, 2020 at 12:54 pm

      The whole family loved it! The flavor with the two meats was exceptional!

      Reply
    4. Steph Social says

      January 25, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      Nothing beats homemade chilli! Such comfort food!

      Reply
    5. Sara Welch says

      January 25, 2020 at 4:45 pm

      5 stars
      I love soup season for recipes just like this one! Looking forward to warming up with this for dinner tonight!

      Reply
    6. Cathy says

      January 24, 2020 at 4:06 pm

      I love the addition of cocoa powder! Definitely makes this recipe stand out!

      Reply
    7. katrina Kroeplin says

      January 24, 2020 at 11:59 am

      oh that looks really good. i love a chili that i need to test this out. def saving this right now.

      Reply
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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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