Grandma's Chili
A family chili recipe passed down through four generations. Ground beef, bacon, stewed tomatoes, kidney beans, and a simple mix of vinegar, sugar, and chili powder. Simple, hearty, and exactly what you want on a cold night.
EasyPrep: 15 minCook: 45 minServes 6Stovetop
Ingredients
- ●2 lbs ground beef
- ●1 large onion (or 2 small), diced
- ●6-8 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into 1/3-inch pieces
- ●2 cans stewed tomatoes
- ●2 cans kidney beans, drained
- ●6 Tbsp white vinegar
- ●2 Tbsp sugar
- ●2 Tsp chili powder
- ●Salt and pepper, to taste
- ●Elbow noodles, for serving (optional)
Assembly
- 1.In a large skillet or Dutch oven, fry the bacon until browned.
- 2.Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- 3.Add the ground beef. Cook, breaking it up, until no longer pink.
- 4.Add the stewed tomatoes with their juice (dice up any large pieces), the drained kidney beans, vinegar, sugar, and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper.
- 5.Stir everything together and bring to a simmer.
- 6.Simmer for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors come together.
- 7.Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot, over elbow noodles if desired, or on its own. Hot sauce optional.
Photo coming soon
The Story
“A lot of families have their go-to chili, and this is ours. It's been in my family for at least four generations. The method is as simple as it gets: bacon, then onions, then beef, then everything else. I grew up eating it over elbow noodles — you could also put it over hot dogs, or eat it straight. Hot sauce on top never hurts if you like spice.”