Mom’s Award-Winning Chili Recipe

Mom’s Award-Winning Chili is a rich, hearty dish full of bold flavor. With a satisfying mix of ground beef and pork, robust spices, and a couple of unexpected ingredients—masa harina and semi-sweet chocolate—this chili delivers comfort and depth in every bite.

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🏆 Mom’s Award-Winning Chili

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Neutral-flavored oil	2 tablespoons
Large onion, diced	1
Chili powder	6 tablespoons
Ground cumin	4 teaspoons
Ground coriander	2 teaspoons
Ground oregano	1 teaspoon
Onion powder	1 teaspoon
Salt	2 teaspoons
Black pepper	½ teaspoon
Garlic, minced	4 cloves
Ground beef	2 lbs
Ground pork	1 lb
Diced tomatoes (with juice)	4 (15 oz) cans
Pinto beans (drained)	2 (15 oz) cans
Bay leaves	3
Masa harina	2 tablespoons
Semi-sweet baking chocolate	2 oz

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Instructions:

1. Cook Onion:
   Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft and translucent.
2. Bloom the Spices:
   Stir in chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Let the spices cook for about 1 minute, stirring continuously to release their aromas.
3. Add Garlic:
   Mix in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Brown the Meat:
   Turn the heat up to medium-high. Add ground beef and pork, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir frequently until the meat is fully browned.
5. Simmer the Chili:
   Add the diced tomatoes (with juices), drained pinto beans, and bay leaves. Bring the pot to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 1½ to 2 hours. Stir every 15 minutes to prevent sticking and allow the flavors to meld.
6. Finish with Chocolate and Masa:
   Once the chili has simmered, remove the bay leaves. Stir in the semi-sweet chocolate and masa harina. Let it cook for another 5–10 minutes to melt the chocolate and thicken the chili.

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Serve hot with your favorite toppings—like shredded cheese, sour cream, or a warm piece of cornbread. This chili is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser every time! 🌶️