If you’re looking for a new chili recipe, try this Smoky Bacon Chili. It’s a hearty, flavorful meal you can cozy up with and most importantly, what’s not to love about bacon!?
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Smoky Beef-and-Bacon Chili
Is it just me, or does everyone think THEIR mom’s chili is the best. Whenever I have a conversation about chili, someone always says “Oh my mom makes the BEST chili”. Well, let me change your mind. I may be biased, but I really do think this Smoky Bacon Chili is the best ever.
Before this recipe, I’d never had chili with bacon in it and I truly don’t know why. Bacon adds so much flavor and if you use smoked bacon it's even tastier. Add fresh bell peppers, jalapeño for a little heat, and plenty of fire-roasted tomatoes you get an amazing stew.
Smoky Bacon Chili is delicious when it’s made, but it’s even better the next day. When all of the ingredients sit overnight, their flavors really work together. Make this Smoky Bacon Chili for a hearty Sunday meal, then have the hearty comfort food leftovers prepped for lunches all week long.
And if you're looking for more cozy meals also try this Turkey Sweet Potato Chili, this Healthy Chicken Tortellini Soup, Dairy Free White Chicken Chili, or this Cauliflower Gnocchi Soup.
Recipe Ingredients
- Ground Beef - I recommend using ground beef higher than 90% lean so there is not excessive fat and grease in your chili.
- Naturally Hardwood Smoked Bacon - Your favorite bacon will work, although a smoked variety is what will provide the smoky flavor.
- Tomatoes - We will use diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and tomato sauce.
- Veggies - Bell peppers, jalapeño and white onion. Yellow onion is fine, too.
- Water - Thins out the chili a bit. Option: you can also add beef broth instead of water for extra flavor. Pro Tip: fill the tomato sauce can to measure & get any remaining sauce off the sides.
- Seasoning - Spices are what MAKE the chili. Don’t skip them. If anything, add extra. I used chili powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
- For serving - Top with shredded cheese, sour cream/greek yogurt, green onions and serve with cornbread. Tip: add 2 tablespoons of honey to the cornbread prior to baking. It gives a touch of sweetness that is SO GOOD!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- Add Beans: Black beans, red kidney beans or pinto beans go well in this beef chili. You can pour the entire can in, no need to drain.
- Meat: If you want your chili a little leaner, make it turkey chili with ground turkey instead of the fattier beef. I still recommend regular pork bacon instead of substituting turkey bacon, though, because this is what provides the hearty chili with such amazing flavor.
- Veggies: Add extra veggies to your chili. Diced carrots, sweet potatoes, or corn will go well.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Dice the onions, bell pepper, and jalapeno with a vegetable chopper. Use kitchen shears to cut the slices of bacon into ~¼ inch pieces.
2. Heat a large pot / dutch oven to medium heat. Add ground beef, diced onions, and bacon pieces into the pot. Allow it to cook for 8-10 minutes or until beef and bacon are cooked. Depending on the bacon, it might produce a lot of grease. This adds flavor, but if it’s more than 3 tablespoons, remove the excess bacon grease from the pan or leave out additional oil.
3. Add in the avocado oil, diced peppers and jalapeno. Sauté for another 6-8 minutes or until translucent.
4. Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water and stir together. Add in all of the seasonings and stir again.
5. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and allow it to simmer for an additional 30-45 minutes or until the chili absorbs the seasonings. Note: the longer it sits, the more chili flavor it will have. Optional to stir a cup or so of cheese into the chili, too. Serve hot with a fresh slice of cornbread (my favorite is Krusteaz Southern Cornbread box mix) and enjoy!
The Best Chili Toppings
This chili has a lot of flavor, but that doesn’t mean your favorite toppings aren’t a welcomed addition. Here’s some of my favorite chili garnishes:
- Crackers (Ritz!), corn chips or croutons
- Shredded cheese or nutritional yeast
- Avocado slices
- Sour cream or a dollop of greek yogurt
- Jalapeno slices, red onion slices, or cilantro
- Crumbled cornbread
Recipe FAQs
Store leftover chili in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave 30 second intervals, mixing between each bought to ensure the chili is warmed throughout. I suggest covering it with a paper towel to avoid splattering.
This chili also freezes well! I like to add to a gallon size ziplock and lay flat in the freezer until solid. This takes up the least amount of freezer space. You can keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
To make this recipe in a slow cooker, first cook the meat + bacon in a skillet. Then layer oil and veggies in the crockpot, followed by the meat, then all of the tomato ingredients, and spices. Stir and cook on high for 4 hours, stirring every hour or so.
If you don’t have these spices stocked in your pantry, you can also use a chili seasoning packet. Even if the spices vary slightly, the bacon will be the star flavor of this dish anyway and it’ll be delicious.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a fresh green salad like this Spinach Quinoa Salad or with a tasty sandwich like this Three Cheese Grilled Cheese. Some Crispy Smashed Potatoes or a loaded baked potato both go well with this bacon chili recipe and would make for a super hearty meal.
Looking for another smoky recipe? Try these Smoked Chicken Quarters from my friend Michelle.
More Recipes You'll Love
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & if you really like the recipe consider leaving a comment further down. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Smoky Bacon Chili
Equipment
- dutch oven / large pot
- vegetable chopper or knife + cutting board
- Can opener
- measuring cups / spoons
- Meat spatula
- kitchen scissors
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef, 96% lean
- 12 oz Naturally Hardwood smoked bacon
- 2 small white onions, diced
- 1 tbsp avocado oil, or another neutral oil
- 3 bell peppers
- 1 small jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and diced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (12 oz) tomato paste
- 1 can (14.5 oz) tomato suace
- 14.5 oz water, (measured in tomato sauce can)
- 4 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 ½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper, more if you like heat
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp salt
For garnish:
- shredded cheese
- sour cream/Greek yogurt
- cornbread, Krusteaz
Instructions
- Dice the onions, pepper, and jalapeno with a vegetable chopper. Use kitchen shears to cut the bacon into ~¼ inch pieces.
- Heat a large pot / dutch oven to medium heat. Add ground beef, diced onions, and bacon pieces into the pot. Allow it to cook for 8-10 minutes or until beef and bacon are cooked. Depending on the bacon, it might produce a lot of grease. This adds flavor, but if it’s more than 3 tablespoons, remove the excess from the pan or leave out additional oil.
- Add in the avocado oil, diced peppers and jalapeno. Sauté for another 6-8 minutes or until translucent.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and water and stir together.
- Add in all of the seasonings and stir again.
- Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and allow it to simmer for an additional 30-45 minutes or until the chili absorbs the seasonings. Note: the longer it sits, the more chili flavor it will have.Optional: Add in a cup of cheese here, too.
- Serve hot with a fresh slice of cornbread and cheese on top if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Notes
Looking for this in MyFitnessPal?
If you're using MyFitnessPal, search 'A Paige Of Positivity' and find SMOKY BACON CHILI calories and nutrition facts. Disclaimer: for most accurate macronutrients and caloric breakdown, it is recommended that you input each ingredient into your MyFitnessPal food diary.
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. It’s my passion to create dishes that can be shared with others. Tell me something you loved or just say hi!
Sydney Van Acker says
WOW. all i gotta say is this chili has the potential to win a chili cook off. The bacon adds SO much flavor
Courtney Paige says
Why haven't I been including bacon in my chili? It's AMAZING!