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Sausage Chili is a meat lovers dream come true! It may just become your favorite chili recipe. You can control the heat to whatever level you want. Hot, Medium or Mild!
Italian Sausage Chili
I originally made this chili to share with some of our local fireman on Valentine’s Day. They are a group of men who didn’t get to take their wife or sweetheart out to dinner for Valentine’s to celebrate. They were busy working to help keep us all safe. These men and women have been to my house and the homes of many of my neighbors and friends and I was excited to show them my gratitude and appreciation for all they do to keep our neighborhood safe.
Ingredients Needed
- Sausage. I used a combination of hot and sweet Italian Sausage.
- Ground Beef. I used ground chuck but you can also use ground hamburger.
- Peppers. A combination of green and red bell peppers and jalapeno peppers.
- Tomatoes. Diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste and fresh tomatoes.
- Olive oil
- Onion. Use sweet, white or yellow onion
- Garlic. Minced
- Spices. Chili powder, cumin, oregano, basil, fennel seeds, salt and pepper.
- Beef Broth
- Fresh Parsley (or cilantro)
How to Make Sausage Chili
- Cook sausage until browned and cooked through. May want to add a bit of water to the pan to help them cook.
- Remove from pan and drain on paper towel.
- Heat oil in pan and add in onions and garlic and cook until soft (about 5 minutes)
- Add in ground chuck and cook until meat is browned.
- Add meat and sausage into crock pot.
- Add in peppers, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, spices and 1 cup fresh parsley. Stir.
- Cook in crock pot on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Add in fresh, chopped tomatoes an hour before serving or add as garnish on top of chili.
- Garnish with additional parsley if desired.
Tips from Leigh Anne
If you want to make this sausage chili less spicy:
- Use all sweet Italian sausage instead of hot.
- Substitute diced green chiles for the jalapeno pepper.
- Reduce the amount of chili powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Crock Pot Sausage Chili on the Stove?
Sausage chili can be made on the stove top but I think chili tastes better the longer it simmers and I love being able to put dinner in the crock pot in the morning and have it ready when I am! If you decide to do it on the stove top, let the chili simmer for at least an hour.
Can I add beans to Sausage Chili?
Absolutely. Add your favorite bean such as kidney, red beans, pinto beans, black beans etc. If using canned beans make sure to rinse and drain them first. Add them in with the chopped tomatoes the last hour or two as they are already cooked and just need to be heated through.
Can I use chicken instead of beef?
If you are looking for a chicken chili recipe check out this one.
Check out more delicious crockpot recipes:
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Sausage Chili
Ingredients
- 1 lb. hot Italian Sausage cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 lb. sweet Italian Sausage ground
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 3 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 lb. ground beef chuck
- 1 green peppers coarsely chopped
- 1 red peppers coarsely chopped
- 2 jalapeno peppers cored, seeded and cut into small pieces (for hotter chili, add up to 6)
- 58 oz diced tomatoes with juice (four 14.5 oz cans)
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 cup fresh parsley chopped
- 3 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 Tbsp chili powder or more for added heat
- 1 1/2 Tbsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 Tbsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 4 roma tomatoes diced
- cheese and sour cream for garnish
Instructions
- Cook sausage until browned and cooked through. May want to add a bit of water to the pan to help them cook.
- Remove from pan and drain on paper towel.
- Heat oil in pan and add in onions and garlic and cook until soft (about 5 minutes)
- Add in ground chuck and cook until meat is browned.
- Add meat and sausage into crock pot.
- Add in peppers, canned tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, parsley and seasonings. Stir.
- Cook in crock pot on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.
- Add in fresh, chopped tomatoes an hour before serving or add as garnish on top of chili.
- Garnish with additional parsley.
Tips & Notes:
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Nutrition Facts:
Tammi Day says
This was great ! Made recipe as listed – added broccoli. We added more red pepper flakes and parsley! Highly recommend!
Mats says
I used the chorizo sausage for taste only. I find it a bit chewy at times. Removed it and then made a slow cooked loin which fel apart after 3hrs