Your favorite chili add-ins?

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I like to kick in a little cocoa sometimes or a splash of beer.

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Aren't these core to a good chili because they are in mine.

I like rehydrating dried chilis to give my chili a rich, depth of flavor.

Dark chocolate, and a darker beer like Modelo Negro.

I do that once in a blue moon.

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Chocolate and a bottle or two f beer are standard for me depending on how much I’m making.

I get some in house made tortilla chips from a restaurant and pulverize those for a mass texture and that flavor.

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Chocolate, of course, coffee, thicken the chili with a slurry made of masa (or tortilla chips, crushed to dissolve).

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coffee

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Shhhhhhhhhhhh!

Sometimes a little oregano. Sometimes a little bit of sage country sausage. Sometimes will emulsify some fresh peppers. Sometimes sweat the veggies in bacon fat.

Most times will add my home made pinto beans.

^^ Assuming ground red meat chili here ^^

Fresh cilantro on top when serving is a game changer

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coffee


Shhhhhhhhhhhh!
Cat's outta da bag.

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When I know I am cooking chili I'll set aside a cup of morning coffee, or if there is none left, will run a cup of water through the grinds just to get the coffee flavor. Use the hot coffee water to rehydrate dried peppers and you're golden!!

Bush's beans

Is Cane syrup like that cooked down similar to molasses?

Just curious as I saw a recipe yesterday with molasses added to the chili (which is what prompted this thread).

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So many beans

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Is like adding tomatoes to gumbo.