Oklahoma-inspired Bean chili
Serves 4-6
Ingredients:
1 lbs ground beef
1 lbs ground pork sausage
1 sweet onion diced
5-6 cloves roasted garlic minced
1 each bell pepper (green, red, yellow) diced
1 poblano diced
1 jalapeño deseeded (if desired) and diced
2 cans Rotel/tomatoes and chilis
1 can tomato sauce
1 can Goya black beans
1 can Goya red kidney beans
Some beef broth base or better than bullion 2 Tbs
1 Tbsp Cumin
½ Tbsp Garlic powder
½ Tbsp Onion powder
1 Tbsp Chili powder
1 Tbsp Guajillo powder
½ Tbsp Smoked paprika
½ Tbsp Smoked pepper flake
¼ Tbsp Cayenne pepper
Salt/pepper
For serving:
Corn chips or corn bread as base
Top with:
Fresh avocado
Cilantro
Sour cream/Mexican cream
Shredded cheddar cheese
Chopped onions
Chopped pickled jalapeños
Instructions:
Begin by roasting the peppers, onions, and garlic over an open flame or under the broiler until they develop a deep char and smoky flavor.
Once the peppers are nicely blistered, place them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow them to steam until cool enough to handle. Peel the peppers, remove the seeds if desired, and chop them. Reserve the roasted peppers to add later in the cooking process.
Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the ground meat and begin browning, seasoning with your chili spices as it cooks to build layers of flavor.
Once the meat is browned, add the onions, roasted chilies, roasted garlic, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, both varieties of beans, and beef base. Stir until everything is well combined.
Bring the chili to a gentle simmer and cook for 20–30 minutes, allowing the flavors to develop. For an even richer chili, continue simmering longer, stirring occasionally and adjusting the consistency as needed.
Add the roasted peppers toward the end of cooking to preserve their smoky flavor and texture.
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Serve hot with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Chef Scout Recon Tip: Great recipes often come from necessity. While Texas chili traditions may focus on meat and spices, Oklahoma kitchens have long embraced beans as an affordable way to add protein, stretch a meal, and feed more people. The best food tells the story of the people who created it.
