Award-Winning Beef Chili Recipe

Chili Cook-Off Winning Beef Chili Recipe. There are SECRET ingredients that make this a winning chili recipe. How to make the best chili around! People will be begging for the recipe and want to know your secrets. 

This is hands-down our family’s favorite beef chili recipe. It is super simple and made with layers of flavor and two secret ingredients. This is what makes it so unique and why it is such a crowd favorite. 

Having the ultimate chili recipe in your repertoire is pretty darn important! Chili competitions are a big deal and this recipe just may win you the coveted top prize. It did for me and hopefully, you will come home with the bragging rights too.

The secret ingredients — Dr. Pepper (or your favorite soda such as Coke or even root beer) and ranch dressing powder! You just need to trust me on this one — they make all the difference!

The beauty of a simple bowl of chili is the infinite number of possibilities that make it anything but simple. Just set out some white bowls, fill them with Mexican cheeses, sour cream, cilantro, fresh lime, green onions, tortilla strips, and creamy avocado and you have a Texas-sized chili bar that will please the masses.

This is the recipe that I used to win a few Chili Cook-Off Contests. It’s all about the secret ingredients that make the huge difference! Here is the proof….

When I go to Chipotle, I order the same thing every single time. I basically put everything (I  mean everything) they offer in my fajita bowl and it becomes a huge masterpiece. When I go with my “picky” friend, I watch in bewilderment as she orders rice, chicken, and cheese. That’s it. This is where the beauty lies in a chili bar because your guests can pile it sky high with toppings or keep it simple.

How to make the best beef chili:

This recipe has few MVP ingredients which sets it apart. Can you guess what makes this chili so unique and prize worthy? Well, I will share the secret….a big ol can of Dr. Pepper does the trick.  Let all my soda lovers out there rejoice! You can also use Coke or Root Beer, if you can believe it. I have tried all 3 sodas in this chili recipe and they’ve all been successful but DP may be my personal favorite.

The other secret ingredient is definitely ranch dressing powder. It adds such a fresh and creamy flavor. It is a huge game changer!

It’s good hearty “man food” (don’t worry…ladies like it too) and is hands down one of my husband’s favorite meals and the perfect accompaniment to a cold winter’s day. The best news is that it not only tastes good, it’s lightning-fast to put together.

The key to this recipe is to season as you go along. When you add salt and pepper to the ground beef as it’s cooking, it seals in the flavor so each component is savory. Feel free to taste away and add more spice if you can handle it! Spice is good.

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4.92 from 25 votes

Texas Sized Chili Bar

By: Melissa Stadler, Modern Honey

This will bring you the grand prize trophy at your next Chili Cook-off! A Texas sized Chili Bar with a array of toppings will please everyone!

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil or any cooking oil
• ▢ 1 Onion diced
• ▢ 1 - 1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef
• ▢ Salt + Pepper
• ▢ 1 - 12 ounce can of Dr. Pepper
• ▢ 2 - 14 1/2 ounce cans Tomato Sauce
• ▢ 1 - 14 1/2 ounce can Chili Beans
• ▢ 1 - 14 1/2 ounce can Petite Diced Tomatoes
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Ancho Chili Powder or any Chili Powder
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing Powder
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Garlic Salt

Chili Bar Toppings:

• ▢ Mexican Cheeses
• ▢ Sour Cream or Mexican Crema
• ▢ Fresh Limes
• ▢ Green Onions
• ▢ Cilantro
• ▢ Avocado
• ▢ Tortilla Chips or Strips

Instructions 

• Heat pot over medium heat and add oil. Heat for 1 minute and add diced onions. Let cook for 2-3 minutes. Add ground beef and let brown, breaking up into small pieces as it is cooking. Generously season with salt and pepper.
• Reduce heat to medium low and add Dr. Pepper, tomato sauce, chili beans, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, chili powder, ranch dressing mix, and garlic salt.
• Simmer for 20-30 minutes to let flavors intensify.
• Ladle into bowls and top with cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, avocado, tortilla strips, and sprinkle with fresh lime.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: Soup

Servings: 6

Keyword: award-winning chili recipe

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Now go light a fire, snuggle in a blanket with your bowl of warm chili, and watch the big game with your friends and family. Oh…and bring home a big trophy at the next Chili Cook-Off too.

Happy Cooking!