Chunky Chili

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 - Easiest 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.

• Ready In: 8 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 1 really big pot

Ingredients

• 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!