Grandpa's Second-Place Chili

This chili recipe has been a long-time family favorite, passed down from my wife’s grandfather. Though it never won first place in any chili cook-off, it consistently took second place. If you happen to use this recipe and win a cook-off, please let us know!

Ingredients:

• 4 lbs ground chuck
• 2 green peppers, diced
• 1 sweet onion, diced
• 1 banana pepper
• 5 packs of Buena Vida chili powder or 1 cup of your favorite chili powder
• 1 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp salt, plus extra for sautéing
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1/2 tsp coriander
• 3 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
• 3 (15-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 ounces of beer

Optional:

• 2 cans of beans, if desired

Instructions:

1. Brown the Beef: In a large six-quart Dutch oven, brown the ground chuck. Once browned, remove the beef and place it in a colander over a bowl to drain.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Using 3 tablespoons of the reserved beef fat, sauté the diced green peppers and onions with a pinch of salt for about 8 minutes.
3. Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the vegetable mixture and cook for an additional minute.
4. Combine Beef and Spices: Return the browned beef to the Dutch oven. Add the chili powder, oregano, cumin, cardamom, coriander, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
5. Activate Spices: Cook the beef and spice mixture over medium heat for a couple of minutes to enhance the flavors.
6. Add Tomatoes and Liquids: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, beer, bay leaves, and banana pepper. Mix thoroughly to integrate all the components.
7. Simmer: Cover and let the chili simmer over medium-low heat for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
8. Optional Bean Addition: If you like beans in your chili, add two cans along with their juice when you add the tomatoes.
9. Final Touch: Before serving, make sure to remove the bay leaves.