What actually makes “the best” smoky bacon chilli? There are thousands of recipes available, and numerous chilli cook-offs around North America. I think people will argue what makes for a perfect chilli recipe. To me, a great chilli is full of smoke, bacon and has time to simmer. The maple syrup helps bring out the earthy flavour of the chilli while creating a natural sweetness.

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The last time we were all together before my dad passed away was in a log cabin tucked deep into the snowy mountains of British Columbia. It was the kind of quiet where we could hear the fire crackle and the snow falling off the pines. We enjoyed the hot tub outside, surrounded by snow, and played card games and crib, where my dad had the best hand ever. As dad would stir the chilli over the stove, we would sneak spoonfuls, and dad would shoo us out of the kitchen, reminding us that a good chilli takes time. Every time I make this recipe, I am taken back to February 2024 when my favourite holiday to date was eating smoky bacon chilli by the fire in British Columbia.

How to Make the Best Smoky Bacon Chilli

Firstly, cook the bacon in a large pot until lightly crispy. Remove the bacon and place it onto paper towels. Reserve about 3 tablespoons of bacon for the veggies and cook them with garlic until soft. Add your ground beef and mix it in with the veggies. You do not have to worry about the ground beef being totally cooked as it will simmer for a long while. Add the rest of your ingredients: canned tomatoes, chipotle peppers, beans, corn, spices, and maple syrup and simmer for a couple of hours on low heat. Taking time is what makes a smoky bacon chilli recipe so spectacular.

FAQ’s ABOUT CHILLI

Can I freeze the Best Smoky Bacon Chilli?

Yes! Feel free to put chilli in the freezer in an air-tight container for up to 3 months.

Can I make this recipe in a slow cooker?

You can, but brown the bacon and ground meat first.

What can I serve with chilli?

Well this is the fun part! Toppings are essential! My favourites are:

• grated cheddar cheese
• sour cream or greek yogurt
• green onions
• corn chips: trust me! The crunch adds extra flavours and textures!
• avocado slices
• honey
• Crusty bread on the side

The Best Smoky Bacon Chilli

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Course Recipes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 529 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 5 strips bacon maple
• 1 yellow onion small dice
• 2 stalks celery small dice
• 3 cloves garlic crushed
• 1 lb ground beef extra lean, grass-fed
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 14.5 oz tomatoes San Marzano
• 1 19 oz red kidney beans rinse and drain
• 1 19 oz black beans rinse and drain
• 1 12 oz sweet corn
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire  sauce
• 1/4 cup canned chipotle peppers blended

Chili Spice

• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp paprika smoked
• 2 tsp salt kosher
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper

TOPPINGS

• 1/2 cup sour cream light
• 2 cups corn chips
• 1 cup cheddar grated
• 2 green onions diced
• 2 avocados diced

Instructions

 

• In a large stock pot, cook chopped bacon until slightly crispy. Reserve 3 Tbsp of bacon fat
• Remove bacon, and cook onion, carrots and celery until opaque (see-through)
• Add garlic to the vegetables and saute for 1-2 minutes
• Add ground beef and cook until almost fully cooked (leave some pink)
• Add maple syrup and stir
• Blitz tomatoes and chipotle peppers until smooth
• Add crushed tomatoes and the crushed chipotle peppers
• Add black and red beans, corn, and tomato paste
• Add all seasonings and Worcestershire sauce
• Simmer for 2-3 hours on very low heat to reduce the tomatoes and get that rich flavour
• Add your favourite toppings and serve!

Notes

If you prefer a chunkier chilli, replace blitzed San Marzano tomatoes with diced tomatoes of any flavour