Boilermaker Tailgate Chili
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This Boilermaker Tailgate Chili was the first amazing homemade chili I ever had, almost a decade ago. A friend brought it to us, with the recipe from All Recipes (linked here – over 5000 5-star reviews!). It was the first chili I ever thought actually had enough flavor, tons of meat, and a great tomato base. I’ve slightly adapted the recipe to make it a little better.
Fall Recipes are my absolute all-time favorite. This Boilermaker Tailgate Chili tastes delicious with my Easy Homemade Disney Copycat Cornbread, and some whipped Honey Butter. Is there anything better on a cool fall day than a bowl of chili with cornbread and honey butter?
One thing that really sets this chili apart is the combination of sausage and ground beef. Most chilis only include ground beef, but the sausage in this Boilermaker Tailgate Chili really adds so much flavor. Another is the Chili Beans. These beans come in a pre-seasoned sauce, which in addition to all the spices you add to the chili, adds levels of flavor.
From the original recipe I cut back on the beans (I like a meat-forward chili) and added some extra tomato paste for thickness. But other than that, my adapted recipe pretty closely follows the original.
Don’t be overwhelmed by the list of ingredients – the chili has a lot in it, but it’s very simple to bring together. Basically you’ll be sautéing the onions and peppers until soft. Adding in the meat until brown. Then adding in all the spices, beans, and tomatoes. Then it just needs to simmer for a couple hours. If you want to get this ready in the morning, you could also brown everything in a pot, then transfer to the slow cooker, to warm all day and be ready for dinner.
Boilermaker Tailgate Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 3 (15 ounce) cans Chili Beans, with sauce
- 1 (28 ounce) can, diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 (12 ounce) can, tomato paste
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 2 green bell peppers, seeded and diced
- 2 green Anaheim chili peppers, seeded and diced
- 4 cubes beef bullion
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
Dry Ingredients
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano, dried
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Over medium-high heat, add oil to a large pot. Add in diced onions and cook until soft.
- Once soft, add in diced green bell peppers and diced Anaheim peppers.
- Cook until peppers are slightly soft.
- Add in ground beef and ground sausage. Cook until brown.
- Add garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken broth.
- Once incorporated, add all the dry spices, bullion, and sugar. Mix well to coat the meat in the flavors. Cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Then add in tomato paste and mix well until it is incorporated.
- Once incorporated, add in Chili Beans (with sauce). Then add in diced tomatoes with juices.
- Cook on medium high for 5 more minutes until mixture is bubbling.
- Once bubbling, reduce heat to low and simmer for 2 hours. The flavor of this chili really comes together the longer it cooks. You can stir it occasionally as it simmers.10 minutes before eating, turn off heat and stir well. Scoop into bowls and top with toppings of your choice – cheese, sour cream, fresh lime juice, Fritos, and green onions are all great on top. Enjoy!!
- *Slow cooker option: if you'd like to have this simmering all day, prepare as above in pot on the stove (to brown the veggies and meat), then transfer to a slow cooker once it's all bubbling. Cook on low for 4-6+ hours.
- *Note: this chili also tastes great after it's been refrigerated overnight and reheated the next day.
It really is delicious. I hope you love this Boilermaker Tailgate Chili as much as we do! Be sure to tag me @plumstreetcollective if you make this Chili!
This was so flavorful and delicious! I made this recipe as 1 of 5 for a Halloween taste off, and this was one of the favorites. Thanks for sharing a great recipe.
So glad to hear! Thanks for letting me know!
Made this for a girls night along with your cornbread and honey butter. My husband and girlfriends said it’s one of the best chilis they have ever had! I loved it to, thanks Shannon!
I’m so glad to hear this!! Thank you for letting me know – sounds like a great girls night!