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.
Can You Make Chili With Sausage? Everything You Need To Know
Chili is one of those versatile dishes that comes in countless variations. From vegetarian chili to white chicken chili to classic beef chili, there are so many delicious ways to make this hearty stew. One question I get a lot is whether you can use sausage in chili recipes. The short answer is – absolutely! Sausage adds great flavor and texture to chili.
In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about making chili with sausage I’ll cover the different types of sausage that work well, tips for cooking sausage for chili, how to balance the other flavors, and share a couple of my favorite sausage chili recipes Read on to get all the details on turning sausage into an amazing pot of chili!
Why Use Sausage In Chili?
Using sausage in your chili provides a few advantages:
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Extra Meaty Texture – The chunks of sausage add nice texture and heartiness
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Bold Flavor – Italian sausage, chorizo, andouille, and other seasoned sausages pack a flavor punch
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Convenience – Browning crumbled sausage takes little time compared to larger cuts of meat.
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Variety – It’s an easy way to put a unique spin on classic chili.
Popular Types of Sausage For Chili
You have tons of options when it comes to sausage varieties. Here are some of the most popular types to use in chili recipes:
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Italian Sausage – Both hot and sweet Italian sausage work very well. Sweet Italian sausage adds seasoning like fennel seed without too much heat.
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Andouille or Chorizo – These spicy, smoked sausages bring a bold kick of flavor.
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Bratwurst – The classic German sausage contributes meatiness and seasoning.
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Breakfast Sausage – The sage flavor pairs nicely with typical chili spices. Go for a spicy or hot variety.
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Turkey or Chicken Sausage – Leaner options if you want a lighter chili.
Tips For Cooking Sausage For Chili
Here are some tips to ensure your sausage chili turns out perfectly:
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Brown The Sausage First – Cook raw sausage in a skillet before adding to the chili. This gives the meat great texture and flavor.
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Use Small Pieces – Cut link sausage into 1/2 inch slices or crumble bulk sausage into small pieces before browning. This allows the sausage to cook evenly and mix into the chili.
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Limit Grease – If needed, drain excess grease after browning sausage to prevent your chili from being too oily.
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Add Other Ground Meat – For best texture, add some ground beef or turkey in addition to the sausage. This gives you crumbly and chunky meat.
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Boost Spices – The seasoning in sausage means you may need to increase spices like chili powder, cumin, oregano, etc. Taste as you go and add more to balance the flavors.
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Simmer Low and Slow – After browning the sausage, simmer the chili gently for 1-2 hours to let the flavors develop.
Striking The Right Flavor Balance
When making chili with sausage, you want the sausage flavor to come through but not overpower. Here are some tips for balanced seasoning:
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Go easy on extra salt since sausage and chili seasoning already contain plenty.
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Add tomato paste and/or diced tomatoes to provide acidity to balance fattiness.
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Stir in brown sugar or honey to complement smokiness and add subtle sweetness.
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Finish with lime juice and/or fresh cilantro for brightness.
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Offer chili powder, hot sauce, etc. as toppers so people can adjust the flavors to their taste.
Now let’s look at a couple of my personal favorite sausage chili recipes to give you some inspiration!
Sweet Italian Sausage Chili
This recipe combines spicy sweet Italian sausage, ground beef, and beans for a chili that’s rich, hearty and full of flavor. Here’s an overview:
- 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
- 1 lb ground beef
- Onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, beans
- Ketchup and brown sugar for tangy sweetness
- Chili powder, cumin, paprika, etc for seasoning
Browning the sausage and beef together gives great texture. Allowing the chili to simmer for an hour or more lets the sweet and savory flavors develop. The Italian sausage really shines here!
Classic Beef and Sausage Chili
For an ultra meaty chili, this recipe includes ground beef plus spicy breakfast sausage. Here’s what you need:
- 1 lb 85% lean ground beef
- 1 lb hot pork breakfast sausage
- Onion, bell pepper, chili seasoning
- Diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans
- Beef broth for the base
Browning the beef and sausage together results in delicious meaty chunks in the chili. Allow it to simmer for an hour until thick and rich. The smoky, spicy sausage pairs so well with the ground beef and beans.
As you can see, adding sausage to your chili opens up all sorts of possibilities. I encourage you to experiment with different types of sausage and spice blends. Just keep in mind the tips above for the best results. With so many varieties of sausage available, you could make a different sausage chili every week without getting bored!
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How to make the best Italian sausage chili recipe
In a big ol’ Dutch oven, cook up that bacon until it’s crispy. Use a slotted spoon to let it dry on some paper towel and set it aside.
Dump out some of the bacon grease and throw in the diced white onions in the same pot. Cook until they start to become translucent for a few minutes.
Afterwards, add the ground beef and Italian sausage crumbles. Cook it all the way through, making sure the meat chunks are broken up.
Toss in the minced garlic and cook it for another minute.
Add in the beans, tomato, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and dijon. Mix it all up really well and stir in some water.
Sprinkle in the chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir.
When the beef and sausage chili starts to boil, turn it down and stir it every ten minutes for about thirty minutes.
Below are some common chili questions. Don’t see the answer you’re looking for? Leave a comment at the bottom of this post!.
Can I make this chili recipe in a slow cooker?
Yes, just follow the first few steps to cook the onions and bacon on the stove and then put everything in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
Southwest Sausage Chili
FAQ
What not to put in chili?
What’s the difference between Italian sausage and spicy sausage?
What can I do with Italian sausage chili?
Chili is perfect to have as a main dish, a side dish, or use as a topping for other recipes. We love to use this creamy Italian sausage chili in various ways. Perfect for adding chips, making some cornbread, top-off fries, tacos, or nachos for more great dinner ideas!
What is the best substitute for chili powder?
Chili powders are usually a combination of garlic, salt, ground chilies, and cumin. For those who cannot eat chili peppers or need a substitute for a recipe, a homemade spice blend is a good option. For example, garlic powder, salt, black pepper for the spicy kick, and cumin. Some people cannot consume peppers because of a nightshade allergy. Making spice blends at home can help minimize the possible cross contamination and give the individual more control over the flavor of their blend.
How do you make Italian sausage chili?
Add more water as needed and skim any fat that floats to the top. Stir in beans and bell peppers. Simmer until vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Season with salt. Chef John’s Italian sausage chili combines cannellini beans, red and green bell peppers, and onion for comforting dish with a spicy kick.
How do you cook beef & sausage chili?
Mix it all up really well and stir in some water. Sprinkle in the chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Give it a good stir. Bring the beef and sausage chili to a boil and let it simmer for about a half hour, stirring every ten minutes. Below are some common chili questions.