Chili is a popular meal around the campfire because it is easy to make, hearty, and warming. This spicy Dutch oven chili turns up the heat with hot Italian sausage, peppers, and spices.
 The nice thing about this recipe is that it is easy to make changes depending on your tastes and what is on hand. If you don’t like spice, used mild sausage and omit the jalapeno peppers. If you don’t have beer on hand, substitute chicken stock or more water. You can swap out brown sugar for the molasses.
If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can cook cornbread right on top of the chili after simmering it for 20 minutes. Use your favorite cornbread mix, spread it on top of the chili, place it on the Dutch oven lid, and cook according to package directions.
Spicy Dutch Oven Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons high-heat oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound hot Italian bulk sausage pork or turkey
- 1 onion chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 green bell peppers seeded and chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ancho chili powder optional
- 2 tablespoons Dutch process cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can (15 oz) cannellini beans rinsed and drained
- 1 can (16 oz) dark beer
- 1 cup water to cover
- salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup green onions
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese
Equipment
- Dutch oven
- charcoal briquettes
Directions
- Prepare charcoal briquettes.
- Heat a Dutch oven over coals and allow to heat.
- Add oil, ground beef, and sausage to the Dutch oven. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spatula until it starts to brown.
- Add the onions, garlic, and peppers and continue to cook until softened.
- Stir in the chili powders, cocoa powder, molasses, and oregano. Mix well.
- Add the tomatoes, beans, beer, and enough water to cover. Add enough briquettes under the Dutch oven to bring to a simmer. Cook the chili for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Season chili with salt and pepper.
- Serve sprinkled with green onions and cheese.
Nutritional Information
More Chili Recipes
Dutch Oven One Pot Meals
Dutch Oven Smoked Chili
Gas Stove
Chili Con Carne
Gas Stove
Can you cook in the oven? Can you recommend temperature/timing!
Yes, you can cook in the oven but it will need the lid on so the moisture doesn’t evaporate away and 30 more cook time.
wowzers! best chili i’ve ever made. i am a low-carbers so i left out the beans and topped with sour cream. i also substituted Cabernet wine for the beer. This should get more than 5 stars!!! the flavor is so rich!