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ultimate apple cider chili

MonisiaH avatar
Recipe by
Monica H
@MonisiaH
Michigan City, IN

Maybe you are thinking, "why mushrooms in a chili?" Well, first, since they are so earthy tasting, they are amazing with beer. Dicing them up small, and since they then swell up, they add to the thickness of chili. No noodles or rice needed with this pot of chili. NOTE: since the cider and beer are added at the end, the alcohol does NOT cook off so this is not a dish for kids.

yield 7 -10
prep time 20 Min
cook time 3 Hr
method Stove Top

Ingredients For ultimate apple cider chili

  • 1 lb
    ground beef
  • 2 Tbsp
    olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp
    bacon fat
  • 1
    medium yellow onion
  • 1 Tbsp
    brown sugar
  • 4 c
    beef broth
  • 10 oz
    cherry tomatoes
  • 6
    tomatoes on the vine
  • 3
    bell peppers
  • 1 Tbsp
    salt
  • 1 Tbsp
    chili powder
  • 1 Tbsp
    cumin
  • 1 tsp
    pepper
  • 6 oz
    tomato paste
  • 12 oz
    white mushrooms
  • 1
    ear of corn
  • 8 oz
    black beans
  • 1 c
    hard apple cider
  • 1 c
    dark brown ale beer
  • 1/4 c
    beer - for deglazing pan

How To Make ultimate apple cider chili

  • 1
    Brown beef on olive oil in saute pan.
  • 2
    Remove beef with slotted spoon into big pot. Leave drippings in saute pan; add bacon grease.
  • 3
    Add onions to saute pan.
  • 4
    Top onions with brown sugar (more for carmelization of onions, rather than flavor). Sautee until onions are translucent and soft.
  • 5
    Pour onions into pot, drippings and all.
  • 6
    Deglaze saute pan with 1/4 cup beer, scraping up brown bits from bottom. Pour that into the pot.
  • 7
    Into the pot, add broth, all tomatoes (add them whole), bell peppers, tomato paste, and all spices. Give it a really good stir, cover and simmer on very low heat, for about an hour.
  • 8
    While waiting, dice mushrooms into itty bitty pieces, and shuck that ear of corn.
  • 9
    After an hour, give your chili a few good stirs, and use back of big spoon or spatula, to push down on the tomatoes, breaking them up. Add mushrooms and corn. Cover and let simmer on very low heat for another hour.
  • 10
    After that hour, now add beans and beer. Stir, cover and let simmer on very low heat for 30 minutes.
  • 11
    Turn off heat, uncover and stir, break up some more tomatoes, and then cover it back up and let it sit, covered, for at least 30 minutes before serving. Top with shredded cheese and scallions when serving.
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