Chunky Chili

pik5el's Note:

This is an amazing chili recipe passed down from my family. I would suggest mixing up different chili powders and adding them at different times to the crock pot. Also experiment with making your own chili powder - Homemade Chili Powder - that's what I always use. I also use good lean quality steak instead of regular stew meat, but please feel free to customize however you want! This makes a HUGE batch, I normally cut it in half and still have plenty.

• Total Time: 8 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 8 hrs

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 1.0 really ...

• 4 teaspoons oil
• 2 large onions, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 4 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
• 3 lbs pork sausage, ground
• 2 (14 ounce) cans whole tomatoes (drained)
• 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
• 6 tablespoons chili powder
• 3 teaspoons cumin
• 1 tablespoon oregano
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 (14 ounce) cans baked beans (drained)
• 2 (14 ounce) cans kidney beans (drained)
• 1 (14 ounce) can pinto beans (drained)
• 12 ounces dark beer (such as a bock, stout or amber, something low in hops)

Directions:

1. Cube beef and marinate in beer and whatever spices you choose (chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper, etc.) for 4-24 hours. Alternately use a commercial marinade.
2. Brown all the meats in a large pan or pot.
3. Add 2 tablespoons chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, brown sugar, cocoa powder and onions to the meat and let cook 3-5 minute.
4. Transfer to your crock pot and set to cook on low heat for 8-12 hours.
5. Add remainder of chili powder in a couple intervals throughout the cooking.
6. Add the beans during the last hour of cooking.
7. Top with colby jack cheese, sour cream, cilantro and oyster crackers!