Jul 11, 2012

State Fair Chili

This hearty chili is a Minnesota State Fair staple, spiked with chile powder and paprika. This recipe first appeared in our June/July 2012 issue along with Jane and Michael Stern's story Fair and Square.

Credit: Penny de los Santos

SERVES 8

INGREDIENTS

¼ cup canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 rib celery, finely chopped
2 lb. ground beef
¼ cup chile powder
2 tbsp. tomato paste
2 tbsp. paprika
2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 (28-oz.) cans whole, peeled tomatoes, crushed by hand
2 (15-oz.) cans kidney beans, drained
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat oil in a 6-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery, and cook until soft, about 6 minutes. Add beef, and cook, stirring, until browned, about 25 minutes. Add chile powder, tomato paste, paprika, salt, and garlic, and cook, stirring, until browned, about 2 minutes. Add tomatoes, and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, for 1 hour. Add beans, and cook, until thickened, about 30 minutes. Season chili with salt and pepper.

This article was first published in Saveur in Issue #148

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Ratings & Reviews (4)

by FROMTHEFRYINGPAN on 2012-07-11

fair by the square link is not working

by Themomchef on 2012-07-16

We loved this. Since there's no way we'll be making it to Minnesota for their state fair, I'm so glad we were able to get a taste of how they make their amazing chili. Even my 6 year-old enjoyed this and didn't think it too hot. Definitely a winner recipe. You can read my full review at:

by SPKORN on 2012-07-17

Funny: chile powder?

More seriously, looks similar to Wendy's Chili recipe, which is good.

by SPKORN on 2012-07-18

Here is how we improved on this recipe, made the following substitutions:
Hot paprika for more heat and smoky flavor instead of regular
Added 2 Jalape�o peppers, sliced and saut�ed with the onions. With seeds and all.
Used meat loaf mixture in lieu of ground beef for more flavor
Swapped 1 can of black beans for 1 kidney beans. More colorful
3 celery ribs for more texture, sliced.

Otherwise, followed this recipe with great results. 5 Stars (website would not permit my voting. Macintosh incompatibility??)

State Fair Chili 5 5 1 4