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Award-Winning Southern Soul Chili with Brown Sugar and Spice

Southern soul chili simmers ground beef, two kinds of beans, and a warm blend of spices into a thick, savory bowl with a hint of brown sugar. It cooks uncovered in a Dutch oven, allowing the tomato-rich chili to deepen in flavor as it thickens.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 7 minutes
Resting 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 32 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Southern
Calories: 435
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb ground beef 85% lean
  • 1 yellow onion large, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper medium, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.5 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tbsp light brown sugar packed
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans drained and rinsed

Equipment

  • 1 6-quart Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. Cook the ground beef and onion in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, for 8 to 10 minutes, until the beef is browned and reaches 160°F.
  2. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add the green bell pepper and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and tomato paste; cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat the meat and vegetables.
  6. Add the diced tomatoes and their juices, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, kidney beans, and pinto beans; bring to a boil.
  7. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
  8. Remove from the heat.
  9. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered until it reaches the stated thickened cue. Refrigerate leftovers for 3 to 4 days or freeze them; ground turkey can replace the beef for a lighter variation.