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    Home > Soup, Stews, Chilis > Award Winning Chili Recipe

    Award Winning Chili Recipe

    Published: Mar 11, 2012 · Modified: Dec 29, 2021 by Lea Ann Brown · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Meat and bean chili served with cornbread

    Award Winning Chili Recipe. Combining Italian Sausage and Ground Pork And Ground Sirloin builds a layer of flavors that is unforgettable. This is simply the best chili recipe winner. Let’s take a look.

    Colorado Award Winning Chili Recipe. With ground beef and sausage and lots of other goodies.

    This is what one would officially refer to as  “hauling out the big guns”.  I’m sharing my award winning Chili Recipe.

    About five years ago, I won 2nd Place with my chili recipe in a Douglas County Chili Cook-off down in Castle Rock.  I had to come up with a name for it when I entered. Since it was somewhat like my Dad’s “Chili Soup” that he used to make when I was growing up, but then again nothing like my dad used to make, I decided on “Toto, I Have A Feeling We’re Not In Kansas Anymore Chili”.

    Award Winning Chili Recipe. With pinto beans, kidney beans and lots of wonderful surprises.

    What makes this recipe different and delicious? You see, I’m a big Italian Sausage fan and just couldn’t resist throwing some into my family version.

    With the wonderful mix of spices in this chili recipe, it doesn’t over power and seems to blend right into the mix. The usual suspects, pinto beans are present, but I also added in kidney beans for additional texture and color.

    The key to any successful soup or stew recipe is good quality meat and spices and a long perking simmer. There’s always packets of chili seasoning you an buy at the store, but why not concoct your own.

    This recipe includes a great spice combination for a rich flavored bowl of chili. I’m particularly proud of adding smoked paprika. I always like a little sweet, so this recipe contains a bit of brown sugar.

    And then there’s some red wine.

    Colorado Award winning chili recipe.

    Sprinkle with some grated cheddar and chopped cilantro, and serve with warm flour tortillas, saltine crackers, or even corn chips. Dig in.

    Award Winning Chili Recipe

    I hope you give this award winning chili recipe a try. And if you do, please come back and let me know how you liked it and give the recipe a star rating.

    Your feedback is valuable to me for developing future recipes. And if you have a favorite award winning chili recipe, let me know, I’d love to give it a try.

    And if you’re looking for more comfort food soup and chili recipes, don’t miss my Soup Category. You’ll find lots of great recipes, including the most popular on my site for Hatch Green Chili with Pork.

    More Beef Chili Recipes:

    • Anthony Bourdain’s New Mexico Style Beef Chili
    • Chipotle Bison Chili with Lime Crema
    • Bourbon Beef and Bean Chili
    • or make a Burrito with that left over Chili, Chili Burrito Recipe

    The biggest reward a cook can have is hearing from fans. 

    Award winning chili testimonial two children holding up a hand printed sign.
    Colorado Award winning chili recipe.

    Award Winning Chili Recipe

    My chili recipe won 2nd place in the Douglas County Chili Cookoff
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Soup, Stews and Chilis
    Cuisine: Tex-Mex
    Prep Time: 40 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 495kcal
    Author: Lea Ann Brown

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound Ground sirloin
    • 1 pound ground pork
    • 1/2 pound Italian sausage bulk
    • 2 whole onions chopped
    • 2 jalapeno pepper seeds and stems removed and minced
    • 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
    • 8 garlic clove chopped
    • 2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
    • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
    • 1 Tablespoon ground coriander
    • 1 Tablespoon Mexican oregano
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 2 California bay leaves
    • 1 1/2 cup Merlot Wine
    • 28 ounce can chopped tomatoes fire-roasted is good here
    • 28 ounce can Pinto beans drained and rinsed
    • 14 ounce can Kidney beans drained and rinsed
    • 1 Cup water
    • 1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon beef bouillon
    • 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Heat a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil.
    • Add sausage, onion, sirloin, pork, jalapeno, green bell pepper and garlic.
    • Cook 8 minutes or until sausage and beef are browned. Add chili powder and next 10 ingredients (through bay leaves) and cook 1 minute stirring constantly.
    • Stir in wine, tomatoes and drained beans. Dissolve bouillon in water and add to chili. Add more water if necessary for consistency.
    • Cover and cook on low for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
    • Uncover and cook on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Discard bay leaves.
    • Serving suggestions: grated cheese, saltine crackers, flour tortillas, corn chips, fresh chopped onion, thin sliced radishes.

    Notes

    For your preferred consistency, add a bit more water if needed, or some masa to thicken.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 495kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 1694mg | Potassium: 2288mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 1874IU | Vitamin C: 106mg | Calcium: 381mg | Iron: 12mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @lannisam or tag #CookingOnTheRanch!

    For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links.

    Award Winning Chili Recipe … It’s What’s for Dinner.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katherine Dietz says

      August 25, 2020 at 10:41 am

      First this sounds great! But we don’t drink wine what do you suggest? Also I cannot load the older comments?
      Thanks
      Katherine

      Reply
    2. Aurora Graystone says

      July 18, 2012 at 6:13 pm

      This is an awesome chili recipe; however, what about the 1 Cup of water, and the Beef Bouillon listed in the Ingredients section – but not in the instructions? Thanks for any help.

      Reply
    3. Chris says

      March 24, 2012 at 7:38 pm

      Hey, new web design, I like it!

      The chili recipe sounds like a winner (well obviously, it won)

      Reply
      • Lea Ann says

        March 25, 2012 at 5:56 am

        Thanks Chris. I’m loving reading your comment so early this morning. Making me smile. 🙂

        Reply
    4. Rhonda says

      March 17, 2012 at 1:02 am

      I’m totally digging your chili recipe, how could it be bad with wine? I checked out the spice shop…love the chile selection! I checked out the spice shop and I’m intrigued by the tomato powder.

      Reply
    5. vianney says

      March 15, 2012 at 9:47 pm

      So sweet of you to share your recipe. Loaded with flavor and the pic is amazing! Pinned for my drool recipes to try!!

      Reply
    6. Leann Lindeman says

      March 15, 2012 at 7:55 am

      Like Highlands Ranch Foodie on facebook.

      Reply
    7. Leann Lindeman says

      March 15, 2012 at 7:54 am

      First thing to catch my eye is the thai green curry blend…. I probably will have to go back and purchase some!

      Reply
    8. Cat says

      March 14, 2012 at 7:10 pm

      Liked you on FB!

      Reply
    9. Cat says

      March 14, 2012 at 7:10 pm

      I would love to try Sumac, powdered because I’ve never heard of it and would love to use it to flavor some meat or rice dish!

      Reply
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    I'm Lea Ann, A Culinary School Grad obsessed with South of The Border cuisine. Mexican, Southwestern and Wild West Recipes. If you're an adventurous home cook looking to spice up your meal plans, you'll find plenty of inspiration for reliable, approachable recipes.

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