Not healthy in the slightest, unless you omit that bacon (pshhhhh,) this beer and beef chili in a bacon bowl is the only way we have our meat chili here! Very simple, and can be made in the slow cooker (and finished off in the oven to get that crispy bacon blanket!)
Not too long along I posted my turkey chili in a bacon blanket.
Ever since that creation, my husband has been insisting I make it again, but this time with ground beef (I only used turkey last time because I wanted to use up the leftovers I had on hand.) He went ice fishing a couple of weeks ago and I submitted to his demands! He was so happy with this recipe that he had no problem coming home from his trip and eating the chili for leftovers.
As a vegetarian, this beer and beef chili in a bacon bowl seems like a monstrosity, and yet, I came up with it so that makes me kind of messed... Let's ignore that and just say that I love my husband and know that he loves meat dishes!
I know my brother would be all over this as well, and over the two times I have made this recipe, I have not been able to save him a portion to try. Same goes for my dad, but I would have to omit onions... Still can't believe there are people in the world that hate onions. They add so much flavor to a dish!
The amount of bacon you use will depend on the size of your dutch oven. Mine is on the smaller side so I used one whole pack of bacon plus a bit of the second. Different cuts of bacon will also affect the amount you use.
As for the chili: I could just about fit the entire batch into my pan. My chili was a bit liquidity and I knew the bacon would produce grease, so I tried to strain out a bit of extra liquid before cooking it. After the beer and beef chili in a bacon bowl was completed in the oven, I used a ladle to skim off the extra greasy layer that was produced during the cooking stage (do not worry, the bacon flavor did not disappear at all!) No one wants to eat grease...
So simple and easy, this beer and beef chili in a bacon bowl can be made in the slow cooker and then transferred to the oven. The first time I made this recipe I made it in the slow cooker, and this time around I was short on time so I made it on the stove. I wanted the chili to sit overnight because just like soups and stews, chili has a stronger taste the following day. You can also make the chili a day in advance and then cook it in the bacon bowl when ready to serve.
📖 Recipe
Beer and Beef Chili in a Bacon Bowl
Simple and delicious, the chili can be cooked in advance and then baked in the bacon bowl!
Ingredients
- 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (19 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. Hungarian paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 1 bottle of beer (around 375-475 mL)
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 medium carrots, chopped small
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 500 g bacon slices (more or less depending on dutch oven.)
- 1 ½ lbs ground beef
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium-high heat, add in the ground beef. Cook for 2 minutes and then add onions and carrots. Cook until meat is browned, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in the seasonings, making sure to add salt and pepper. Stir in tomato paste and cook for a few more minutes. Add in the beer, tomatoes, and beans. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Add in your peppers and sugar. Taste for seasoning. Cook for another 30-45 minutes, or until veggies are tender-crisp.
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Prepare your cast iron dutch oven by layering the bacon slices around the inside of the pan, overlapping slightly. You want to leave enough overhang so when you fold back the bacon, it covers the top nicely. The amount of bacon slices depends on the size of your dutch oven (mine is 2.5 quarts.)
- Pour the chili into the bacon wrapped pot and then bring the overhanging slices of bacon over the top to cover the chili (almost like the chili is sitting in a giant bacon cup now.)
- Place pan into the oven, uncovered, and bake for 30-45 minutes, or until your bacon reaches desired crispiness. Allow to cool slightly and dig in!
Notes
To make this recipe in the slow cooker, brown your meat, onions, and garlic in a large pan. Add all the ingredients except for the bacon to your slow cooker and cook on low heat for about 8 hours. You will have to finish the recipe in the oven.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 8Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1254Total Fat: 75gSaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 275mgSodium: 2630mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 9gSugar: 12gProtein: 97g
This beer and beef chili in a bacon bowl feeds quite a few people (my husband took the meal ice fishing and easily fed the group of men there.) Serve it with some bread or chips and you have even more filler! I personally like how easy this meal is to make (aside from a lot vegetable chopping!) Also, the chili can be easily customized to meet everyone's needs (cough, cough, my dad's fear of onions.) Basically, make your favorite chili recipe and stick it into a bacon bowl (or bacon blanket as I referred to it in my previous post!)
If you are looking for a healthier chili, please feel free to check out my following turkey chili in a bacon blanket (better omit that bacon though!)
Love this beer and beef chili in a bacon bowl?! Try some of these recipes:
Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats
Holy Hannah, this just looks all kinds of sinful... must have now! Whoa!
Kacey
Haha, it does seem sinful!
Terri Steffes
My daughter will go nuts over this recipe!! Thank you for taking the time to go over those directions, I am very confident we will be able to pull this off!
Kacey
Glad I could help! The first time I made this recipe my bacon layer was all over the place, so do not let that detour you!
Ashley (QLCC)
Epic use of bacon here, major props 🙂
Kacey
We all know there are some crazy bacon-lovers out there 🙂
Susan | LunaCafe
What a novel, memorable concept! Would be a bit hit with a game day crowd around the TV.
Kacey
I could not agree more! Maybe this will be a hit next February!
Marye
This is brilliant. I am pretty sure my son-in-law would be in heaven if I made this!
Kacey
Maybe you could surprise him one day 🙂
Cate | Chez CateyLou
WOW! A Bacon bowl? That's amazing! This chili looks delicious on its own, and that bacon bowl just makes it out of this world!
Kacey
Thanks, Cate! The last time I made this recipe I referred to it as a "bacon blanket." Both bowl and blanket seem to work here 🙂
Joanie @ ZagLeft
Such a hearty looking bowl of chili. I love all that bacon - what a great idea to line the bottom and top of the pot with it. Pinned!
Kacey
I was worried about the bacon not cooking at the bottom of the pot, but it all worked out!
Tim
Hey Kacey, does the bacon crumble into the chili? Or does it need to be pulled apart into pieces and therefore making a mess. Also is there any chance the bacon can be cooked in the slow cooker as well?
Thanks!
-Tim
Kacey
Hi, Tim. You will still need to pull the bacon apart (my husband just gives everything a big stir when he serves it to people to ensure everyone gets a slice or two of bacon.) As for the slow cooker, I have never done it 🙁 But the bacon should cook (it just won't have that crispy element to it.) I really should try this in the slow cooker one day!
Patricia @ Grab a Plate
This is a seriously hearty dish, and so clever! I cook for a meat eater, and I know he'd really like this, too! Really fun idea!
Kacey
I don't think any meat eater would turn down this dish!
Ginny McMeans
That is one wild chili bowl. A meatlovers heaven!
Kacey
And a vegetarian's/vegan's nightmare 😉
Heather | girlichef
Whoa - bacon bowl? Genius! My guys would go nuts for this...I have to try it!
Kacey
Haha, and an added bonus, you can use your favourite chili recipe in the bacon bowl!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me
All that bacon....drool...drool...wipe... wipe.... pinning now!
Kacey
Thanks so much, Amy!
amanda @ fake ginger
O.m.g. This may be the best thing I've ever seen. I've got chili planned for tomorrow and this is definitely happening if I have enough bacon.
Kacey
That's the only downfall to this recipe, so much bacon... Or is that really a bad thing for some? 🙂
Melanie | Melanie Makes
Bacon bowl?!?! I know what I'm going to make the next time I need my husband to tackle his honey-do list!
Kacey
And to think I made this meal as requested by my husband... Next time I will give him that list 🙂
Nutmeg Nanny
Beer, beef and bacon? I want it all!!!!
Kacey
The three perfect B's for many!
Brian
Hi Kaceu, Could you please let me know what size Dutch oven you used?
Thanks,
Brian
Brian
OOPs, Sorry, "Kacey" I should wear my glasses when type.
Kacey
No problem, Brian 🙂 My dutch oven does not say the size but I filled it with water and I would say it is either 2.5 or 3 quarts in size. You could use a bigger size but just remember it would take more bacon!
luganrn
Is it possible to do this in individual portions? Can you imagine individual bacon bowls filled with wonderful goodness?
Kacey
It is a neat idea! I mean, it may work if you have smaller bowls that are oven safe (which, now that you mention it, I do seem to have!) I will have to give it a try!
Molly
I love this chili recipe. I've used it so many times for family and friends. You should totally enter this chili contest! I think you have a good chance at winning (because I don't want to steal your credit)!
http://bushbeans.thedailymeal.com/
Kacey
Ahh! Thank you! I love comments like this! Sadly it is only open to American residents, but thanks for the heads up. Still happy you love the recipe!
Jennifer
How well does this do reheating? I am going to bring this to a work luncheon tomorrow. I plan to make my chili tonight and will put in bacon bowl and cook in the morning. How would I reheat it for lunch time? Any suggestions? Put it back in the oven?
Kacey
I am so sorry, Jennifer! My daughter has been sick so I have been away from the blog. My husband has reheated the dish no problem (he uses the microwave,) but the oven should work, too! So sorry for the late response!