I wouldn't say this is super spicy chili but it is only for me for my lunches for the week. Five kinds of chilis. Dried California chilies, dried Guajillo chilies, fresh jalapenos, canned green chili and cayenne powder. Rehydrated the dried chilis and blended into a paste (replaces chili powder), blended the canned green chilies with cilantro and garlic salt. Chopped the jalapenos and combined with chopped onion on a griddle until slightly charred, added cumin and cayenne powder with black pepper and garlic salt to the meat before heavily browning the meat (93% lean ground beef), beef stock, black and red beans to the pot. Canned diced tomatoes. No thickener but pretty thick chili.
This is essentially my recipe with a few tweaks and conveniences. Can you really notice a difference using fresh peppers, grilling the onion and jalapenos and seasoning the beef? Or is it more of a hobby where you enjoy the process?
My changes:
Kidney beans. Black beans seem weird for this type of chili.
I use canned jalapenos including the juice and think cooked ground beef soaks up plenty flavor so no seasoning there.
Louisiana hot sauce in place of cayenne pepper. I think the liquid version mixes better.
Red bell pepper. It changes up texture and adds an extra element.
Bottled minced garlic. I've found this every bit as good as fresh, if not better. And it's much easier and stores longer.
Whatever pepper was available at the local nursery that's now out of business.
I don't have beef stock but believe it or not I've found even bullion and water to be as good as low sodium beef broth.
My wife hates spicy food but loves my chili, especially a day or two old.
Chipotle in adobo is pretty damn good too but you need cubed steak instead of ground beef.
Last edited: