Spicy Chipotle Chili Recipe

Spicy Chipotle Chili made in cast iron brings the heat for dinner over and over again. Prepare to fall in love with a flavor fit for colder weather.

Spicy Chipotle Chili is a twist on classic beef chili that your whole family will ask for. It’s the perfect hug on a chilly day and an epic side dish to a summer BBQ!

Spicy Chipotle Chili History

Chili has long been the classic dish we turn to when the weather starts to head into colder territory. Did you know that Chili Con Carne (or at least the earliest variation of it) has been around since the 1850s?!

Chili appears to have been an old-school meal prep! Beef, peppers, suet, and salt were pounded together and dried, then heated/boiled in pots out on the trail, creating a dish like Spicy Chipotle Chili.

Thankfully, modern chili has more appeal to our cast iron palates. Beef chili in cast iron is the perfect blend of smokey, spicy, and perfectly cooked meat. This Spicy Chipotle Chili pays homage to the old-fashioned chili with flavor rooted in Southwest culinary history.

Making the Best Beef Chili

What type of cast iron: I whipped out our trusty Dutch Oven for this Spicy Chipotle Chili recipe.

About cast iron Dutch oven: The great thing about Dutch Ovens is their versatility. They are heavy and can intimidate new users, but we encourage you not to be. A Dutch oven can be used on the stovetop and in the oven. This type of cast iron is perfect for meat, soups, sauces, stews, and, of course, chili.

Where to find Chipotle chili powder: The key to the flavor of this chili is definitely in Chipotle. It’s easy to find at your local grocery store. If you go to a smaller store, you may have to venture to a bigger box store.

What does Chipotle taste like? It’s a very distinct spice with an earthy, smokey flavor, perfect for slow cooking, like with Spicy Chipotle Chili.

How do you make chili with ground beef? My secret to making ground beef chili is picking a slightly leaner style of ground beef so you can season, cook, and skip the draining of the fat. Similar to how you would add a cut of butter to a sauce to give it that glossy feel, is the exact reason why I choose not to drain the fat from my burger meat. Choosing a leaner package, such as 90/10, minimizes the fat oils and allows you to add the seasonings simultaneously as browning. This trick allows the meat to spend as much time with the flavors as possible and cook out that raw spice taste.

How to Store and Reheat Chipotle Chili

Proper chili storage: Allow your Spicy Chipotle Chili to cool off before transferring to an airtight plastic or glass container. You can keep chili fresh for up to 3 days.

Can you freeze Chipotle Chili? Yes, you can. Portion your chili accordingly and place it into freezer bags; be sure to push out the extra air.

How to reheat chili: A cast iron skillet can come in handy to reheat your spicy Chipotle chili. Bring your skillet to medium to high temp and ensure it is well greased. Stir your chili until it is heated through, and enjoy!

Make it a Meal

We love the heat this chili brings and have a few suggestions for you regarding sides. Our favorite pairing is our skillet cornbread. The sweet, savory flavor goes SO well with Spicy Chipotle Chili’s heat.

If you’re looking for a solid dessert option, we’re fans of skillet strawberry crisp. There is something about it that makes the kitchen smell so nice.

• Tomato Cucumber Salad is a light, refreshing side dish to this spicy meal.
• A Simple Green Salad is perfect for using up the remainder of your avocados.
• Corn on the Cob is, of course, a winner with any BBQ meal!

I hope you enjoy this spicy chipotle chili. Here are related recipes you’ll also like.

• CREAMY STUFFED CHIPOTLE CHICKEN
• Queso Chipotle Chicken Sliders
• SHEET PAN CHIPOTLE SWEET POTATO HASH
• CHIPOTLE’S CILANTRO LIME RICE RECIPE

Spicy Chipotle Chili

Smokey and spicy, this ground beef chili has it all – even some hidden vegetables! It has grated carrots, petite tomatoes, and diced peppers and onions.

Author: Paula

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

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Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 medium green bell pepper
• 1 medium yellow onions
• ½ to 1 cup carrots peeled and grated
• 3 cloves garlic
• 14.5 ounce diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon cayenne
• ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup tomato sauce

Instructions

• Heat your dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat. Add ground beef and spices. Brown almost all the way.
• Just before meat is thoroughly browned, add in the green peppers and cook for 5 minutes. Then add in onion. Give a good stir and allow to become tender.
• Add carrots and tomatoes. Give a quick stir. Pour in the BBQ sauce and pasta sauce. Cover and allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes, longer if possible. Serve with your favorite chili toppings.

Notes

*If using ground beef with a higher fat content, brown the meat first and drain the fat, then add your spices. If substituting ground beef with a leaner cut of meat such a ground turkey, add 2 Tablespoons of oil during the browning process. 

Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are important to you, I recommend calculating them yourself.

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