When I’m going to feed a crowd, this is one of our favorite recipes. It’s hearty and filling and easy to serve. Just dish up bowls of red, offer a selection of toppings, and a basket of bread and butter, and you’re good to go.
If you’d like, you can make this in the crockpot. After you saute the onions and garlic, simply combine all the ingredients in a large crockpot. This is so make ahead, you can cool and freeze it and enjoy it another time.
Chihuahua Chili
¼ cup oil
2 onions, chopped
3 Tablespoons chopped garlic
2 cups tomato sauce
1 cup enchilada sauce (we like Las Palmas)
12 ounce bottle of beer (possibly Chihuahua, hence the name)*
2 29-ounce cans pinto beans, drained
2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 Tablespoon cumin
Toppings: sour cream, grated cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro
In large pot, heat oil. Saute onion until transluscent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, enchilada sauce, beer, beans, cumin and chili powder. Bring to boil. Simmer, partially covered, until slightly thickened and flavors have mingled, about 1 hour on the stovetop. (You can cook this all day in the crockpot.)
Serve with toppings.
If freezing, divide into dinner portions suitable for your family. Cool, label and freeze. To serve: Defrost and reheat. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream and chopped cilantro. Shepherd’s bread with butter is a great accompaniment.
* If you’d like, you can omit the beer, just add water or broth if the chili is too thick without the beer.
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I love how simple this chili is to make. However, not a fan of cumin. Would it ruin the recipe to leave it out, or have you any ideas for a suitable substitution?
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Jessica Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 8:34 am
Yes, you can leave it out. The enchilada sauce has enough flavor. You should be good.
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If I make this in the crockpot should I still do the following or just dump it all in the crockpot? “In large pot, heat oil. Saute onion until transluscent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and saute 2 minutes more. Add tomatoes, enchilada sauce, beer, beans, cumin and chili powder. Bring to boil.”
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Jessica Reply:
October 3rd, 2010 at 1:26 pm
@Mary, I like the flavor that sauteing adds to the onions, so yes, I would saute the onions and garlic and then toss everything in the crockpot.
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Everyone in my home loves this recipe.
Do you have any guessimate as to how many one-cup servings this recipe makes? I need to know for dietary reasons (so I know how much I’m eating, etc.)
Thank you for your help.
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Jessica Reply:
August 15th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I think last time I made it, it was 12 to 16 cups. Sorry I’m not more help!
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