The best chili recipe
Make It Happen’s Comfort Chili – A Smoky, Sweet, and Spicy Favorite
This chili recipe comes from Make It Happen, and just like his name, he really makes it happen! This isn’t your regular chili. It’s rich, smoky, a little sweet, a little spicy, and packed with deep, bold flavors. It’s true comfort food that warms your heart and fills your belly.
Let’s walk through how to make this tasty chili step-by-step.
🔥 Step 1: Brown the Meat
Start with a mix of:
- Ground beef
- Ground pork
Cook them in avocado oil until they get brown and a little crispy. Don’t move the meat around too much — let it sit and form a crust. That crust gives amazing flavor!
While it’s cooking, season with:
- Your favorite all-purpose seasoning
- A bit of beef bouillon powder (this adds deep flavor — and yes, it may have MSG, which boosts taste)
Once browned, take the meat out but leave the tasty oil and bits in the pan — that’s flavor gold!
🧄 Step 2: Build the Flavor
Next, cook:
- Chopped yellow onion
- Green onion
- Fresh jalapeño (remove seeds if you don’t want it too spicy)
Then add the special ingredients that make this chili so unique:
- Blended chipotle peppers in adobo sauce – for smoky heat
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (2–3 tablespoons) – adds deep, rich flavor like a Mexican mole
- A pinch of cinnamon – gives a warm background flavor
- Tomato soup – makes it creamy
- Crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
- Mexican beer – to bring out flavor and clean the bottom of the pan (you can use beef broth instead)
Before adding the liquids, let these spices cook in the oil:
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- Chili powder (as much as you like – it’s chili, after all!)
🫘 Step 3: Add Beans and Sweetness
Now it’s time to toss in the beans:
- 1 can light kidney beans
- 1 can dark kidney beans
(both rinsed and drained)
Balance out the heat and spice with:
- A few tablespoons of brown sugar
- A few tablespoons of honey
Add 1 cup of beef broth, stir everything, and let it simmer on low heat for 1–2 hours so the flavors come together.
🥩 Step 4: Bring the Meat Back
After simmering, put the cooked ground beef and pork back into the pot. Stir it in well, cover it, and let it cook slowly until everything tastes amazing together.
Near the end, mix in:
- A couple tablespoons of garlic paste – this gives it a big flavor boost
🧀 Step 5: Time to Serve!
Now the fun part — topping it! Serve the chili hot and add:
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sliced jalapeños
- Crispy fried onions – for a crunchy topping
- Fresh chives – for color and a fresh touch
🍽️ Final Thoughts
This isn’t just a bowl of chili — it’s a full flavor experience. It’s smoky, spicy, rich, and a little sweet. You can enjoy it in a bowl, on fries, or even on a hot dog. However you eat it, this chili is sure to impress!