This recipe for Italian sausage chili is wonderful for a quick and easy dinner during the week. There is something delicious and filling about ground beef, sweet Italian sausage, and a mix of spices that the whole family will love.
Chili is a quintessential comfort food that warms you up on chilly nights. This hearty, meaty stew typically features ground beef as the star of the show. However, you can easily elevate your chili by swapping in or adding different types of sausage.
Sausage adds great depth of flavor to chili. It also gives your chili more texture and variety. From spicy Italian sausage to smoky kielbasa, there are so many delicious sausage options to experiment with.
Why Add Sausage to Chili?
There are a few key reasons why sausage can be a game-changer for your next pot of chili:
-
More Flavor Sausage has so much more flavor than plain ground beef. Depending on the type, it can provide spice, smokiness, herbs, garlic – all sorts of seasonings built right in This boosts the overall flavor of the chili
-
Texture: Sausage brings a meatier, chunkier texture to the chili. You get those nice bites of sausage throughout each spoonful.
-
Change of Pace: Swapping in sausage instead of ground beef gives your tried-and-true chili recipe a tasty twist. It keeps things interesting.
-
Easy Shortcut Flavorful sausage eliminates the need to season the ground beef so heavily The seasoning in the sausage does the work for you!
Best Types of Sausage for Chili
You have lots of options when it comes to sausage for chili Here are some of the best types to try
-
Italian Sausage: Spicy or sweet Italian sausage packs tons of flavor into the chili. It provides a lovely background heat along with Italian seasoning.
-
Andouille or Chorizo: These sausages provide a smoky, spicy kick that chili loves.
-
Kielbasa: Polish kielbasa has a rich, garlicky flavor that adds depth to chili.
-
Bratwurst: German bratwurst has a slightly sweet, nutty taste that complements the heat of chili.
-
Breakfast Sausage: The sage seasoning in breakfast sausage pairs nicely with typical chili spices.
You really can’t go wrong when picking a sausage! Go with your personal tastes or whatever you have on hand.
How to Add Sausage to Chili
Adding sausage to your chili recipe is easy. Here are two simple methods:
1. Use Sausage Instead of Ground Beef
The easiest option is to simply replace the ground beef entirely with sausage.
If using links of sausage, remove the casings and crumble the sausage into bite-sized pieces. Cook the crumbled sausage in a skillet until nicely browned.
Then add your onions, peppers, tomatoes, beans, and remaining ingredients per your chili recipe. Use the sausage drippings to sauté the aromatics just like you would with ground beef.
You’ll end up with a hearty sausage chili packed with flavor.
2. Mix Sausage with Ground Beef
For a more customized meat blend, you can mix sausage with ground beef. This allows you to control the ratio of beef to sausage.
A 50/50 mix is a good starting point. Brown 1/2 pound of sausage crumbles and 1/2 pound of ground beef together in the skillet.
From there, finish making the chili as directed. The combination of beef and sausage gives you the best of both worlds – rich meaty flavor from the beef and bold seasoning from the sausage.
You can tweak the ratio to your preferences. Do 75% sausage or 25% sausage – play around until you find your perfect blend.
Tips for Adding Sausage to Chili
- Pick a lean sausage. Fattier sausages like bratwurst will release a lot of grease. Opt for a lean Italian sausage or remove excess fat after browning.
- Make sure sausage is cooked through. Sausage usually requires a bit longer cooking time than ground beef. Cook until no longer pink.
- Add extra spices if needed. Depending on the sausage, you may need to tweak the chili seasoning. Taste and adjust spices to your preferences.
- Simmer low and slow. Letting the chili simmer for 1-2 hours allows the flavors to develop and meld together beautifully.
- Skip salt until the end. Salt later once the chili is done, since sausage and canned beans already contain salt.
Sample Recipes with Sausage
To get you inspired, here are a couple of delicious sausage chili recipes to try:
Italian Sausage Chili
This recipe from Erin Lives Whole uses sweet Italian sausage along with ground beef. Browned sausage gets simmered in a tomato-based chili with beans and seasonings. The sausage adds a lovely depth of flavor.
Beef and Sausage Chili
Kelsey’s recipe features a combo of 85% lean ground beef and spicy breakfast sausage. The breakfast sausage provides a nice smoky, savory flavor contrast to the beef.
Both recipes result in a thick, hearty chili that makes the perfect meal for a cold winter night. The addition of flavorful sausage takes the chili to the next level.
FAQs About Adding Sausage to Chili
What’s the best way to brown sausage for chili?
Remove sausage from casings and crumble into small pieces. Cook over medium heat in a skillet until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes. Break up any large pieces as it cooks. Pour off excess grease before adding to the chili pot.
Can you use turkey or chicken sausage in chili?
Absolutely! Lean turkey or chicken sausages work great in chili. They tend to be lower in fat than pork sausages. Just make sure to cook them fully since poultry needs to reach 165°F.
How much sausage should you add to chili?
I recommend using at least 1/2 pound of sausage per 3-4 servings of chili. For a full sausage chili, use 1 pound of sausage for 6-8 servings in place of ground beef. Mix in more ground beef if desired.
What sausage goes best with chili?
Italian sausage and chorizo add delicious flavor. Andouille or kielbasa provide a nice smoky flavor. Spicy breakfast sausage also complements chili beautifully. Go with your personal taste preferences!
Can you freeze chili with sausage in it?
Yes! Fully cooked sausage chili freezes very well for 2-3 months. Let the chili cool completely before transferring to freezer bags or containers. Reheat frozen chili over medium heat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Take Your Chili to the Next Level with Sausage
The next time you make a pot of chili, try swapping in or adding sausage. The extra flavor and texture it provides is game-changing. With so many types of sausage to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Experiment to create your new favorite chili! Just be sure to make a big batch – sausage chili goes fast!
k
Whipping up a sweet sausage chili: the perfect Italian comfort food
Making a batch of homemade chili is always a win, in my book. It’s warm, comforting, and perfect for cooler days.
My favorite recipe for ground beef chili is always the same, but sometimes I like to add something new to it. That’s where this sweet Italian sausage chili comes in!.
It’s hearty, packed with protein and fiber, and bursting with Italian flavors. Plus, it’s super easy to make and perfect for meal prep.
You and your family will love this chili. Serve it to them and watch their faces light up with happiness. Trust me; you’ll thank me later!.
This was a recipe from my neighbor that she always made for us growing up. I would be so happy when a bowl of Mrs. Kohler’s Sweet Sausage Chili was on the menu. Trust me, it’s not like any other chili recipe you’ll ever try.
The savory tastes of Italian sausage and bacon are mixed with the sweet tastes of brown sugar and ketchup in this chili recipe. Trust me, you won’t want to miss out on trying this one.
Here’s a bit more about what I used:
- Sausage: For this recipe, I used sweet Italian sausage. If you like things spicy, you can also use hot Italian sausage. You’ll need a pound.
- Beef Ground: I put in a pound of ground beef to make the chili more meaty and give it more texture. For a healthier choice, I like to use 93/7 lean ground beef.
- Bacon: Because bacon makes everything better, right? It adds a smoky flavor to this chili that goes well with the sweetness.
- Beans: I like to use both kidney beans and white beans in this sausage chili. You can use pinto or black beans instead of those if you don’t like them. You can use either canned or dry beans. Just make sure to follow the directions for the type of beans you use.
- Crushed tomatoes: I used a can of these to make the base of the chili. If tomatoes are in season, you can also use fresh ones!
- Onions and garlic: there is no chili without these two important ingredients. The smell they give off when they’re cooking will make your mouth water.
- Brown Sugar: This is where the sweetness comes in! A little brown sugar gives the Italian sausage chili more flavor. You’ll need about a 1/2 cup.
- Ketchup: Another unconventional ingredient, but trust me on this one. A small amount of ketchup makes the chili taste sour and sweet, which really kicks it up a notch.
- Dijon: A tablespoon of Dijon mustard gives the chili a mild sour taste. It makes a huge difference, but you won’t even be able to taste it.
- Worcestershire is another secret ingredient that the chili needs to really taste good. You’ll need just a tablespoon.
- I used a mix of spices, such as chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, to give the chili its unique flavor. You may change these to your liking or add any other spices you like.
- Water: The last ingredient is just plain water. This makes the chili the right thickness by thinning it out. You can use beef or vegetable broth instead of water if you don’t want to!
Here’s a bit more information about what I used to make this sweet sausage chili…
- Large Dutch Oven
- Slotted Spoon
- Cutting Board and Kitchen Knife
For measuring, you will need 1/2 cup, 1 cup, 1 tablespoon, and 1 teaspoon.
Can I use turkey instead of beef?
Yes, you can definitely substitute ground turkey for the ground beef in this recipe. However, I highly recommend keeping the Italian sausage to get those traditional flavors.