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Flavorful Chili with Coffee and Brown Sugar

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A rich and comforting chili recipe enhanced with the unexpected depth of brewed coffee and the subtle sweetness of brown sugar. Perfect for cozy dinners and crowd-pleasing gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup beef broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 1/2 cup brewed coffee (strong and freshly brewed)
  • 2 tbsp packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt to taste (start with 1 tsp)
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes.
  2. Add diced onion and green bell pepper; sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
  4. Increase heat to medium-high and add ground beef. Brown the meat for 8-10 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until no longer pink and a rich brown crust forms.
  5. Stir in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes to bloom the spices.
  6. Add diced tomatoes with juices, beef broth, brewed coffee, and brown sugar. Stir well, scraping up browned bits from the pot.
  7. Reduce heat to low, partially cover with a lid, and simmer gently for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. If using kidney beans, stir them in during the last 10 minutes of cooking to heat through.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed. Optionally add a splash of vinegar or extra brown sugar to balance flavors.
  10. If chili is too thick, add broth or water to loosen; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce.
  11. Let chili rest off heat for 10 minutes before serving to deepen flavors.

Notes

Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to enhance flavor. Avoid burning garlic by adding it just before browning meat. Simmer on low heat and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Adjust salt near the end to avoid over-salting. Let chili rest 10 minutes off heat before serving. For thicker chili, simmer uncovered; for thinner, add broth or water. Coffee should enrich but not overpower the flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili, coffee chili, brown sugar chili, comfort food, easy chili recipe, hearty chili, ground beef chili, cozy dinner

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/flavorful-chili-with-coffee-and-brown-sugar-recipe-for-rich-comfort/