Slow Cooked Smoked Bourbon Chili

Our company hosts a chili cook off every year - this was our entry into this year's chili cook off! We're calling it our Slow Cooked Smoked Bourbon Chili. Made with mouthwatering, sweet pecan smoked meats and a splash of bourbon for an extra kick, it's the thick, hearty, saucy chili we all know and love with an extra burst of flavor!

SERVES: 12
PREP TIME: 30 MINS COOK TIME: 8 HRS TOTAL TIME: 8 HRS, 30 MINS

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/2 pound ground beef chuck

• 1 pound ground Italian sausage

• 5 slices bacon

• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced

• 1 green bell pepper, finely diced

• 1/2 cup celery, finely diced

• 1 cup yellow onion, finely diced

• 1 small jalapeno, seeds removed and finely diced

• 1-15 ounce can chili beans in medium sauce

• 1-15 ounce can chili beans in mild sauce

• 1-28 ounce can petite diced tomatoes, undrained

• 1-6 ounce can tomato paste

• 3 tablespoons chili powder

• 1/2 cup bourbon

• 1 and 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 teaspoons oregano

• 1 teaspoon dried basil

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 teaspoon pepper

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 1 and 1/2 teaspoon cumin

• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced

• 3 beef bouillon cubes

• 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

1. Smoke the ground beef and ground sausage for 30 minutes.

2. While the meat is smoking, cook and crumble the bacon. Reserve the bacon grease in the pan.

3. In the same pan, add the bell peppers, celery, onion, and jalapeno pepper. Saute until tender. Add to slow cooker.

4. Once the meats are done smoking, in the same pan, cook the meat until no longer pink.

5. Add the meat and remaining ingredients to the slow cooker.

6. Stir to combine. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or overnight.