Start your day off right with this hearty breakfast chili, which goes great with eggs and hashbrowns.
This easy chili recipe is great because it’s much faster to make than regular chili, and the breakfast sausage and bacon really give it a unique taste. Best of all, this chili is even better if you make it the night in advance. No one wants to mess around with making chili first thing in the morning anyhow!.
Breakfast chili is made with breakfast meats rather than ground beef. Breakfast sausage already has a lot of herbs and spices in it, so it really adds a lot of great flavor to the chili. The smokiness of the bacon makes the flavor even stronger.
This homemade chili has less liquid in it than a traditional chili, making it thicker like a gravy. This allows it to be used as a sauce over your breakfast favorites.
Chili is a beloved staple across many cultures and cuisines. This hearty, flavorful dish has countless variations, with cooks constantly seeking ways to put their own creative spin on it. If you’re looking to add a new dimension to your chili recipes, there’s a tasty secret weapon you need to try – breakfast sausage.
Why Breakfast Sausage Works Wonders in Chili
At first glance breakfast sausage may seem like an unlikely addition to a pot of chili. However, this versatile meat can add a tremendous amount to the flavor texture, and overall heartiness of chili when used properly. Here’s a breakdown of the key benefits of using breakfast sausage in your chili
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Enhanced flavor profile – Most breakfast sausage contains spices like sage, garlic, salt, pepper, and other zesty seasonings. This infuses the chili with another layer of savory flavor. The hint of sweetness also balances out fiery chili heat.
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Hearty texture – Diced or crumbled breakfast sausage provides a meaty texture contrast to the beans, tomatoes, peppers and other ingredients in chili. This makes each bite more satisfying.
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Cost effective – Breakfast sausage tends to cost less per pound than other ground meats. Using some sausage in your chili stretch your budget.
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Versatile meat option – You can find breakfast sausage in different styles, including maple, apple, sage, spicy and more. This allows you to switch up flavors batch after batch.
Tips for Cooking With Breakfast Sausage in Chili
Here are some tips to ensure you successfully incorporate breakfast sausage into your chili:
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Brown the sausage first – Cook the sausage over medium heat until fully browned and cooked through. This enhances the flavor. Drain excess grease before adding to the chili.
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Use a mild sausage – Spicy chilies already pack plenty of heat. Choose a mild or sweet breakfast sausage so it doesn’t overwhelm other flavors.
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Balance seasonings – The breakfast sausage spices will amp up flavor. Adjust chili powder, cumin, and other seasonings so that no one flavor dominates.
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Simmer for 30+ minutes – Allow flavors to mingle and sausage to become tender. Add cooked sausage when you first combine chili ingredients, then simmer.
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Try different types – Mix it up by using different breakfast sausage varieties like maple, apple, sage, spicy and more.
Satisfying Breakfast Sausage Chili Recipes to Try
Here are some delicious chili recipes that use breakfast sausage to tantalize your taste buds:
Sausage and Bean Chili
This basic recipe combines browned breakfast sausage, beans, chili powder blend, and traditional chili vegetables like onions, tomatoes, and peppers. The sausage boosts the heartiness.
Sausage and Cornbread Chili
Top a pot of sausage chili with crumbled cornbread just before serving. The cornbread soaks up the delicious juices and adds even more texture.
Maple Sausage Turkey Chili
For a lighter chili, use lean ground turkey and sweet maple sausage. The flavors complement each other beautifully.
Southwestern Breakfast Sausage Chili
Spice it up by using hot sausage, diced green chilies, corn, and southwest seasonings. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream or guacamole.
White Chicken Sausage Chili
Mild white chicken sausage keeps this chili lighter in both color and flavor. Cannellini beans, chicken broth and green onions round it out.
Breakfast Sausage Takes Chili to the Next Level
If you’re chili tastes like it’s missing something, breakfast sausage may be the flavor booster you’ve been searching for. This versatile meat infuses chili with savory flavor, delicious texture, and new possibilities. With some simple tips, you can easily enhance your favorite chili recipe with breakfast sausage. Invite your family or friends over for a chili night, serve up a steaming pot, and wait for the compliments to come pouring in!
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How to make it
It is best to make your breakfast chili the night before. This not only saves you time in the morning, but the chili tastes better the next day after being in the fridge.
Start by cutting your bacon into small pieces. Then, add it to a pot, like a Dutch oven, with your breakfast sausage and onion. Break apart the sausage into small pieces and cook over medium-high heat until everything is well browned.
Put the Rotel tomatoes with their liquid in the pot. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to get rid of any brown bits. Then add the chili beans and tomato sauce.
Stir to combine everything then bring it to a simmer. Let it simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. The chili can be enjoyed immediately if desired, or stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator.
You can heat up individual servings of chili in the microwave the next morning, or you can put the chili back in the pot and heat it up on the stove.
Breakfast Sausage Mild or Spicy (Easy Freezer Meals)
FAQ
What is the best meat to put in chili?
Is breakfast sausage the same as regular sausage?
What’s the difference between breakfast sausage and chicken sausage?
What is the difference between sweet Italian sausage and breakfast sausage?
How to cook sausage for chili night?
Place in slow cooker with tomatoes, salsa, and seasoning. Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Breakfast is an easy and delicious way to change up chili night. Brown sausage in a pan until no longer pink and is completely done. Drain off any fat. Add salsa, tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder to the sausage and stir.
Is chili powder gluten free?
There isn’t necessarily a reason for gluten to be in chili powder, but there is always a possibility that it is an added ingredient, or it is processed in a facility that processes wheat as well. If you are concerned and absolutely can’t tolerate any gluten, there are some gluten free labeled chili powders. Another possibility is to ask the company directly, because unless something is labeled gluten free it is difficult to know whether there is gluten in it or not. An example would be oats, they shouldn’t contain gluten, but some are processed in a facility that processes wheat, so unless it’s labeled gluten free it might have faint traces of gluten.
How long do you cook sausage for chili?
Cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Breakfast is an easy and delicious way to change up chili night. Brown sausage in a pan until no longer pink and is completely done. Drain off any fat. Add salsa, tomatoes, cumin, and chili powder to the sausage and stir. Cook over medium low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
How do you make a beef & sausage chili?
This classic beef and sausage chili is made with ground beef, hot pork sausage, and three beans: pinto, kidney, and black beans. Brown the ground beef and pork sausage over medium-high heat in a large stockpot.