4 1/2 Alarm Chili by Micah

Ingredients 0/11

Step 1

Cook the ground beef and chopped onion in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir it around until the beef is nicely browned, which usually takes about 5 to 8 minutes. Once it’s done, drain off any extra grease.

Step 2

In another skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat, turning it now and then so it browns evenly. This should take around 10 minutes. When it’s crispy, drain the bacon on paper towels and chop it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 3

Now, grab a big pot and combine the cooked beef and onions, bacon, kidney beans, baked beans, diced tomatoes, brown sugar, barbecue rub, chili powder, hot sauce, and garlic powder. Stir everything together and let it simmer gently over medium-low heat. Give it a good stir every half hour or so to keep things from sticking. Let it cook for 2 to 3 hours until it’s bubbling and the flavors have melded.

Step 4

Once the chili is done cooking, take it off the heat and let it cool down for about 30 minutes. Then, cover it and pop it in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight—this really helps the flavors deepen.

Step 5

When you're ready to eat, reheat the chili slowly on low heat. Keep stirring it every 30 minutes and let it warm through for at least 4 hours. This slow reheating makes it taste even better!