Best 5 Flavorful Southwestern Chili Recipes

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**Indulge in the Robust Flavors of the Southwest: A Culinary Journey through Authentic Chili Recipes**

Embark on a tantalizing culinary adventure as we delve into the realm of Southwestern chili, a dish brimming with bold flavors and aromas that capture the essence of the American Southwest.

From the classic Texas Red Chili, with its rich and spicy tomato-based broth, to the unique Green Chile Stew, featuring succulent pork and tangy green chiles, this collection offers a diverse range of recipes that cater to every palate.

Experience the hearty and comforting flavors of the Chuck Wagon Chili, slow-cooked to perfection with tender beef and a medley of beans, or savor the smoky and savory nuances of the Black Bean and Corn Chili, a vegetarian delight bursting with vibrant colors and textures.

Prepare to be captivated by the unique charm of the Pumpkin Chili, a seasonal twist on the classic, featuring the sweetness of pumpkin and the warmth of spices, or explore the depths of flavor in the Turkey Chili, a lean and flavorful variation perfect for health-conscious individuals.

Each recipe in this collection is a testament to the culinary heritage of the Southwest, offering a harmonious blend of spices, fresh ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques. Whether you seek a classic chili experience or crave something more adventurous, this article will guide you through an unforgettable culinary journey.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

CLASSIC CHILI



Classic Chili image

Mom's homemade chili recipe was the best! She knew just the right ingredients to put her 'stamp' on it. I could eat it with my eyes closed and know it was hers. It amazed me that she could put it together in so little time. -Marjorie Carey, Alamosa, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner     Lunch

Time 2h

Yield 12 servings (3 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 medium green pepper, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 pounds ground beef
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 cup water
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cans (16 ounces each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Tortilla chips, optional

Steps:

  • In a Dutch oven or large soup kettle, saute green pepper, onions and celery in oil until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce and seasonings. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 1-1/2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add kidney beans. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes longer. If desired, serve with tortilla chips.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 259 calories, Fat 10g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 708mg sodium, Carbohydrate 23g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 20g protein.

CHUNKY SOUTHWEST CHILI



Chunky Southwest Chili image

What started out as a mild, basic chili has evolved over the years into a chili with a punch! -Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 2h

Yield 10 servings (about 2-1/2 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 12

6 dried ancho or guajillo chiles or a mixture (about 3 ounces)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 pounds beef stew meat, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2-2/3 cups water, divided
1 bottle (46 ounces) V8 juice
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
Sliced seeded jalapeno peppers, optional

Steps:

  • In an enameled cast-iron Dutch oven over medium heat, toast chiles 2-3 minutes (do not burn). Remove from heat; transfer to a small bowl. Add hot water to cover. Soak 30 minutes., Meanwhile, in the same pot, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Brown beef in batches. Remove with a slotted spoon. Add onion and remaining oil to pot; cook and stir until onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute more. Remove from heat., Drain and split chiles, discarding stems and seeds. Pulse, covered, with salt, pepper, cumin and 2/3 cup water in a blender until pureed, adding water if needed (mixture should be a slightly runny paste)., Return beef to pot, and pot to stovetop. Add V8 juice, broth, chili mixture and remaining water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until thickened and meat is tender, 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 hours. If desired, top with jalapeno pepper slices.

Nutrition Facts :

SOUTHWESTERN CHILI



Southwestern Chili image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 1h35m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

2 large onions, chopped
2 green bell peppers, cored, seeded and chopped
2 tablespoons minced (3 large cloves) garlic
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup chili powder, or to taste
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons tomato paste (recommend getting tube)
3 pounds boneless beef chuck, ground coarse
1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, including liquid
1 to 1 1/2 cups beef broth
4 tablespoons cider vinegar
1-ounce unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 (19-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
Rice, as an accompaniment
Toppings: Tortilla chips; sour cream; grated cheddar; chopped red onions; chopped jalapenos; diced avocado; minced cilantro; etc.

Steps:

  • In a casserole cook the onions, peppers and garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin and oregano and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Add the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink. Add the tomatoes, 1 cup of the broth, the vinegar and chocolate and bring the mixture to a boil, crushing the tomatoes with the back of a spoon. Simmer the chili, covered, for 1 hour, adding additional broth, if necessary. Add the kidney beans and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes more. Ladle into bowls and serve with rice and desired toppings.

SOUTHWESTERN THREE-MEAT CHILI



Southwestern Three-Meat Chili image

When Mom came to live with me several years ago, I told her it was now my turn to cook. One goal was to enhance recipes of the great Southwest, so I experimented and test-tried several recipes. This is one of the successful attempts, and served with a fresh green salad, it has delighted many guests. -Bob Wyatt Kansas City, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 2h

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 23

3 pounds ground beef
1 pound pork tenderloin, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
2 large onions, chopped
2 celery ribs, diced
1 medium green pepper, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
3 cans (15 ounces each) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
7-1/2 teaspoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 bay leaves

Steps:

  • In a soup kettle or Dutch oven, cook the beef, pork and sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add the onions, celery, green pepper and garlic; cook for 8-10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. , Stir in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered for 1-1/2 hours. Discard bay leaves.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 289 calories, Fat 15g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 649mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 24g protein.

SOUTHWEST CHICKEN CHILI



Southwest Chicken Chili image

Chicken thighs are a nice change-of-pace in this easy chili. I also add a smoked ham hock and fresh cilantro to add flavor and keep the dish interesting. -Phyllils Beatty, Chandler, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 6h15m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 smoked ham hock
1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Sour cream, optional

Steps:

  • In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil. Transfer to a 3-qt. slow cooker. Add the ham hock, beans, broth, chilies, onion and seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until ham is tender. , Remove ham bone. When cool enough to handle, remove meat from bone; discard bone. Cut meat into bite-size pieces and return to slow cooker. Serve with sour cream if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 343 calories, Fat 16g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 104mg cholesterol, Sodium 735mg sodium, Carbohydrate 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 33g protein.

Tips:

  • Sear the Beef for Rich Flavor: Before simmering, sear the beef in a large pot over medium-high heat to develop a deep, caramelized flavor that enhances the chili's overall taste.
  • Use a Variety of Chili Peppers: Experiment with different chili peppers to achieve your desired level of heat and complexity. Some popular choices include ancho, guajillo, and chipotle peppers.
  • Add Spices and Seasonings for Depth: Enhance the chili's flavor profile by incorporating a blend of spices such as cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, and oregano. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Simmer for Richness and Depth: Allow the chili to simmer for at least 1 hour, or up to 4 hours, to develop its rich flavors and allow the ingredients to meld together.
  • Garnish with Fresh Ingredients: Before serving, garnish the chili with fresh chopped cilantro, diced red onion, sour cream, and shredded cheese to add color, texture, and extra flavor.

Conclusion:

This flavorful Southwestern chili is a delightful dish that combines the bold flavors of the Southwest with the comforting warmth of a classic chili. By following these tips and suggestions, you can create a delicious and satisfying chili that is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you prefer a mild or spicy chili, this recipe allows you to customize the heat level to your liking. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant flavors of the Southwest!

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