Boilermaker Tailgate Chili

Boilermaker Tailgate Chili is a hearty, flavorful dish that is perfect for gatherings, especially during football season. Packed with beef, sausage, bacon, beans, and a blend of spices, it’s a crowd-pleaser that can be prepared ahead of time and reheated for convenience.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef chuck

• 1 pound bulk Italian sausage

• 3 (15 ounce) cans chili beans, drained

• 1 (15 ounce) can chili beans in spicy sauce

• 2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice

• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste

• 3 stalks celery, chopped

• 1 large yellow onion, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped

• 2 green chile peppers, seeded and chopped

• 1 tablespoon bacon bits

• 4 cubes beef bouillon

• ½ cup beer

• ¼ cup chili powder, or more to taste

• 1 tablespoon minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

• 2 teaspoons ground cumin

• 2 teaspoons hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco)

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 teaspoon white sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste

• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or more to taste

• 1 (10.5 ounce) bag corn chips (such as Fritos)

• 1 (8 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
  
  

Directions:

1. In a large stock pot over medium-high heat, crumble the ground beef chuck and Italian sausage. Cook, stirring frequently, until the meat is browned. Drain off excess grease.

2. Add the chili beans, spicy chili beans, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste to the pot. Stir in the chopped celery, onion, bell peppers, chile peppers, bacon bits, beef bouillon cubes, beer, chili powder, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, oregano, cumin, hot pepper sauce, basil, cayenne pepper, paprika, sugar, salt, and black pepper.

3. Stir the mixture to combine. Cover and simmer on low heat for at least 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

4. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and chili powder as needed.

5. To serve, ladle the chili into bowls. Top with corn chips and shredded Cheddar cheese.
   
   

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: 474 kcal

• Total Fat: 20g

• Saturated Fat: 7g

• Cholesterol: 67mg

• Sodium: 1588mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 45g

• Dietary Fiber: 11g

• Sugars: 11g

• Protein: 32g

• Vitamin C: 59mg

• Calcium: 145mg

• Iron: 8mg

• Potassium: 1176mg