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Al Roker's Spectacular Chili
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- #48109
You may know Al Roker from television, but what he's really famous for is his "spectacular" chili. It's made with a combination of chuck steak, hot italian sausage, and three kinds of beans.
serves/makes:
ready in:
2-5 hrs
2-5 hrs
8 reviews
ingredients
2 pounds chuck steak, cut in 1-inch cubes
1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
2 large onions, diced
12 cloves garlic, diced
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 can (32 ounce size) crushed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (16 ounce size) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (16 ounce size) Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (16 ounce size) dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
chopped scallions
sour cream
shredded Cheddar cheese
directions
Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the cubed steak and Italian sausage and cook, stirring frequently, until browned. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon and set aside. Drain off all but two tablespoons of the fat.
Add the onion and garlic to the Dutch oven and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 7 minutes.
Add the cumin, paprika, chili powder, and tomatoes. Mix well. Return the beef and sausage to the Dutch oven. Mix well. Let the mixture simmer for 1 1/2 hours, uncovered.
Add the pinto, Great Northern, and kidney beans and let the chili simmer for another 30 minutes.
Serve Al Roker's chili with chopped scallions, sour cream, and shredded Cheddar cheese if desired.
recipe tips
Brown the meat in batches, if needed, to keep from overcrowding the pan. You'll get better browning if it's not crowded.
Adjust the amount of chili powder and spice levels as desired.
Use fresh tomatoes instead of canned for a different flavor and texture.
Try different types of beans to create a different chili blend, such as black beans or chickpeas.
Add a splash of beer or coffee for a deeper flavor.
Taste and adjust the seasonings throughout the cooking process.
Freeze leftover chili in individual portions for quick and convenient meals later on.
Serve the chili over baked potatoes or hot dogs for a simple dinner idea.
common recipe questions
Why use a combination of chuck steak and Italian sausage?
The chuck steak provides a hearty texture, while the Italian sausage adds a spicy kick to the chili.
Can I use ground beef instead of chuck steak?
Yes, ground beef can be used as a substitute for chuck steak if desired, though it will yield a slightly different texture.
Do I have to use all three types of beans listed in the recipe?
While the combination of pinto, Great Northern, and kidney beans adds variety to the chili, you can use any combination of beans you prefer or have on hand.
Can I make the chili in a slow cooker?
You can brown the meat and saute the vegetables before transferring everything to a slow cooker to simmer on a low setting for 4-5 hours.
Can I make the chili ahead of time?
Yes, the flavors of the chili develop even more when stored in the refrigerator overnight and reheated the next day. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat it gently on the stovetop.
How can I make it vegetarian?
You can omit the meat and increase the amount of beans, vegetables, and spices in the chili to create a vegetarian version.
nutrition data
433 calories, 24 grams fat, 24 grams carbohydrates, 30 grams protein per serving.
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reviews & comments
January 29, 2017
I have made this several times and it's always a hit! We love it.
January 13, 2017
Some consider beans in chili to be blasphemy but this recipe is outstanding with the multi-bean combo. A new favorite for us. Thank you for the recipe!
January 26, 2015
YUMYUMYUMYUM JUUUUICY!! TASTY!! DA BEST!!!!
October 2, 2013
One of our favorite chili recipes! Thanks Al!
January 22, 2011
I have a standby chili recipe that is always a hit, but as a true chili lover, always looking for that next best chili, and this may be it. Outstanding flavors that somehow blend yet remain distinctive and the same with the textures. Hats off to Mr Roker!
October 16, 2009
This was a big hit with my family. I will definitely add this to my recipe file. I like the chuck steak rather than ground beef. It's leaner than most chili recipes. The only thing I added was a tablespoon of cocoa. I had seen a lot of chili recipes that used a bit of chocolate so I tried that.
June 8, 2009
My kids complained about how they did not want chili for dinner, but after they tasted it there was no stopping them. They loved it. I will make this again.
February 19, 2007
My husband made this for our son's preschool's annual chili cooking contest and he won! It was tasty!