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Asian Inspired Chili Recipe

Asian Inspired Chili Recipe

Erin Rains
Chili has held a place of honor in kitchens worldwide, but there are countless ways to spice it up. Enter my Asian-inspired chili—a dish that combines the heartiness of traditional chili with bold Asian flavors.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asian
Servings 6
Calories 340 kcal

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • cutting board
  •  knife
  • measuring cups
  • spoons

Ingredients
  

  • Curious about what goes into this delicious pot of chili? Here’s your shopping list:
  • - 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • - 1 red bell pepper diced
  • - 1 medium onion chopped
  • - 2 scallions sliced
  • - 3 cloves garlic minced
  • - 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey/chicken if preferred
  • - 2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced
  • - 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
  • - 1/4 cup dry sherry
  • - 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
  • - 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • - 2 tablespoons Thai-style chili sauce
  • - 1 teaspoon sugar or sugar substitute like Splenda
  • - 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • - 1 16-ounce can red beans, drained and rinsed
  • - 1/2 cup tomato sauce

- Optional: 1 tablespoon of lime juice (to brighten flavors)

Instructions
 

Step 1: Sauté Your Veggies

  • In a large pot, drizzle in the sesame oil and warm it over medium heat. Once it’s shimmering, add the chopped onions and red bell pepper. Stir them around until they soften and become fragrant, which should take about 5 minutes. Toss in the minced garlic and continue cooking for another minute. The smell alone will make your mouth water.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

  • Add your ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is browned, which should take about 5-7 minutes. Don’t skimp here—browning the meat adds depth to the flavor.

Step 3: Spice It Up

  • Once everything is nicely browned, it’s time to add your touches of flavor. Sprinkle in the minced ginger and Chinese five-spice powder. Give it a good stir to coat the meat and veggies with those wonderful spices.

Step 4: Pour In the Goodness

  • Now, it’s time to mix in all your other ingredients. Add your dry sherry, hoisin sauce, chili powder, soy sauce, Thai chili sauce, sugar, diced tomatoes, red beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well to combine all these flavorful ingredients.

Step 5: Bring to a Boil

  • Raise the heat a bit and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it’s bubbling happily, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

Step 6: Let It Simmer

  • Allow the chili to simmer gently for about 1 hour. This step is crucial—it melds all the flavors together and gives you that delightful chili experience. Stir occasionally and adjust the heat as necessary to keep it at a gentle simmer.

Notes

- Play with Protein: Use turkey or chicken to lighten the dish or go plant-based with lentils or mushrooms.
- Freshen It Up: A splash of lime juice right before serving elevates the flavors.
- Spice Adjustment: Add more or less Thai chili sauce based on your heat preference.
- Storage: This chili freezes beautifully, so make extra and stash some for later.
- Make Ahead: The flavors deepen and improve when made a day in advance, making it a perfect dish for leftovers.

Nutrition

Serving: 6gCalories: 340kcal
Keyword Asian Inspired Chili Recipe
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