Jason Derouen, popularly known as “The Cajun Ninja,” is a chef from Thibodeaux, Louisiana whose culinary influence has been rapidly spreading across the United States.
With his knowledge and expertise in the art of Cajun cooking, he has developed an award-winning line of spices and rubs that have taken the foodie world by storm.
Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that has been winning awards for years. With Derouen’s special blend of spices and seasonings, you can create a dinner your family will love. This dish is sure to become a regular on the dinner table!
In this article, we’ll explain the ingredients used in Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili and provide step-by-step instructions on how to prepare it.
We’ll also share a few tips from Jason himself so you can make this dish your own. Get ready for an amazing flavor experience with Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili!
What is Cajun Ninja Chili?
Cajun Ninja Chili is a classic Cajun dish that was created by Jason Derouen, the “Cajun Ninja.” It’s a hearty and flavorful chili with layers of smoky and spicy flavors.
The heat level can be adjusted to taste, making this dish everyone’s favorite! Derouen’s secret recipe includes ground beef, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, ranch-style beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, Cajun or Creole seasoning mix, and bay leaves.
Water is also added to thin out the chili and help it reach its desired consistency. Cajun Ninja Chili is a tasty dish that can be served with your favorite toppings.
It’s perfect for game-day gatherings, potlucks, and even weeknight dinners. With its bold flavors and easy preparation, this dish is sure to become a family favorite!
What does it taste like?
Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili is a flavorful and hearty dish that will tantalize your taste buds. The bold flavors of the chili blend together perfectly to create a unique and delicious flavor experience.
The smokiness of the smoked paprika, garlic salt, cumin, and Cajun or Creole seasoning combine with the slight heat of the jalapeños and chili powder to create a deep and complex flavor.
The bay leaves add an herbal note that brings all the flavors together in perfect harmony. The texture of the dish is also amazing, with chunks of vegetables, creamy beans, and small bits of ground beef. Altogether, it’s a delicious dish that your family will love.
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How did I first get introduced to the Cajun Ninja Chili?
I first heard of the Cajun Ninja Chili when I stumbled across Jason Derouen’s YouTube channel, “The Cajun Ninja.” The videos showcased his amazing cooking skills as he shared his Louisiana-inspired recipes with viewers around the world.
His signature dish, the Cajun Ninja Chili, quickly caught my eye. The chili recipe had a unique combination of ingredients that made it stand out from the other recipes I was familiar with. The smoky and spicy flavors immediately drew me in, and I knew I had to try it for myself.
After watching Jason’s videos and reading some reviews, I decided to give the Cajun Ninja Chili a try. I followed his step-by-step instructions and was amazed at how amazing the flavors turned out. The chili had a bold flavor with layers of smoky and spicy notes that blended together perfectly.
The texture of the dish was also enjoyable, with chunks of vegetables, creamy beans, and small bits of ground beef in each bite. It was truly a unique and flavorful dish that quickly became a family favorite.
I’ve since made the Cajun Ninja Chili numerous times and have shared it with friends and family. Everyone who tries it loves it, and I always get requests for the recipe! It’s become a staple in our house, and I’m so thankful to Jason Derouen for introducing us to this amazing dish.
If you’re looking for a unique and flavorful chili recipe, I highly recommend Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili! With its bold flavors and easy preparation, it’s sure to become your family’s favorite too.
How to make Cajun Ninja Chili?
Making Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili is easy. Just follow the steps below and you’ll be enjoying this delicious dish in no time!
Ingredients
- Yellow Onions: This ingredient serves as a base flavor for the chili. It provides a sweetness that complements the spiciness of the peppers and seasonings.
- Green Bell Pepper: This pepper adds crunch and texture to the dish, along with its mild sweetness.
- Poblano Pepper: Poblano peppers provide a nutty, smoky flavor to this chili.
- Jalapeños: The jalapeños add heat and a bit of zest to the chili. It can be omitted for a milder version.
- Garlic Cloves: Garlic is always used in savory dishes like this one, and it adds an earthy, garlicky flavor.
- Olive Oil: This ingredient is used to sauté the vegetables.
- Ground Beef: The beef adds protein and substance to the chili.
- Tomato Paste: The paste gives the chili a thicker texture as well as a deeper tomato flavor.
- Diced Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes add sweetness and acidity to balance out the savory flavors of the other ingredients.
- Tomato Sauce: The tomato sauce creates the base for the chili and ties all of the ingredients together.
- Ranch Style Beans: Using canned beans in this recipe helps to make the dish easier and quicker to prepare. The ranch-style beans add a little bit of smokiness and depth to the flavor profile.
- Cumin: Cumin adds an earthy and smoky flavor to the chili.
- Chili Powder: Chili powder is a blend of several spices, including cumin, garlic, oregano, paprika, and cayenne pepper. It gives the chili a slightly spicy kick.
- Garlic Salt: This ingredient brings out the garlicky flavor in the chili without overpowering it.
- Smoked Paprika: This ingredient adds a smokiness to the chili that complements the other flavors.
- Cajun or Creole Seasoning: The seasoning creates a flavorful and complex base for the dish, with notes of onion, garlic, oregano, cumin, and more.
- Bay Leaves: Bay leaves add an herbal flavor to the chili. They can be removed before serving.
- Water: Water is added to thin out the chili and help it reach its desired consistency.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients
- Dice the onions and bell peppers.
- Mince the garlic cloves and jalapeños.
- Drain all canned beans, tomatoes, and sauces.
Step 2
Saute the vegetables
- Heat a large pot over medium heat, then add olive oil to the pot and swirl to coat the bottom.
- Add in the diced onions, bell peppers, jalapeños, and garlic.
- Sauté for 2-3 minutes or until vegetables are softened.
Step 3
Cook the beef
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add in the ground beef.
- Cook until the beef is browned and cooked through about 10 minutes.
- Drain any excess fat from the pan.
Step 4
Add remaining ingredients and simmer
- Reduce heat to low/medium and add in the tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, ranch-style beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, Cajun or Creole seasoning, bay leaves, and water.
- Stir to combine all ingredients.
Step 5
Finish the dish
- Simmer for 20 minutes or until the chili has reached the desired consistency.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve the chili with your favorite toppings.
Tips
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better quality ingredients you use, the more flavorful your chili will be.
- Adjust the spiciness level to your liking. If you prefer a milder chili, omit the jalapeños and reduce the amount of chili powder used.
- Let it simmer. The longer the chili simmers, the deeper and more complex the flavors will be.
- Let it rest. Letting the chili rest for a few minutes before serving allows all of the flavors to meld together and develop even further.
Nutrition Information
What to serve with Cajun Ninja Chili?
Here are some great options to serve alongside Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili:
- Cornbread or biscuits
- Rice
- A fresh green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Avocado slices
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Shredded cheese
- Hot sauce, if desired
How to store leftover Cajun Ninja Chili?
Leftover Cajun Ninja Chili can be stored in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, place in a pot over medium heat and stir until heated through. You can also freeze the chili for up to 3 months, thawing it overnight before reheating.
If you’d like to prepare this dish ahead of time, you can prepare the ingredients up to a day in advance. Simply store them in separate airtight containers and assemble them just before cooking.
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can enjoy Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili. The ingredients used in this recipe are safe for pregnant women to eat and the dish is full of healthy nutrients like protein, fiber, and vitamins.
Just be sure to cook the beef through properly before eating it and always check with your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
Equipment
- Large pot
- stirrer
Ingredients
- 2 Yellow Onions
- 1 Green Bell Pepper
- 1 Poblano pepper
- 2 Jalapeños
- 4 Cloves Garlic
- 6 tsp. Olive Oil
- 2 lbs. Ground Beef
- 1 can 6 oz. Tomato Paste
- 2 cans 14.5 oz. Diced Tomato
- 2 cans 15 oz. Tomato Sauce
- 2 cans 15 oz. Ranch Style Beans
- 6 tsp. Cumin
- 6 tsp Chili Powder
- 2 tsp. Garlic Salt
- 2 tsp. Smoked Paprika
- 2 tsp. Cajun or Creole Seasoning
- 2 pcs Bay Leaves
- 1 cup Water
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients needed to make this Cajun Ninja Chili. Dice the onions and bell peppers, mince the garlic cloves and jalapeños, and drain all canned beans, tomatoes, and sauces.
- In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the diced onions, bell peppers, jalapeños, and garlic in olive oil until softened (about 2-3 minutes).
- Increase the heat to medium-high and add in the ground beef. Cook until browned and cooked through about 10 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.
- Reduce heat to low/medium and add in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, ranch-style beans, cumin, chili powder, garlic salt, smoked paprika, Cajun or Creole seasoning, bay leaves, and water. Stir to combine.
- Simmer for 20 minutes or until the chili has reached the desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients. The better quality ingredients you use, the more flavorful your chili will be.
- Adjust the spiciness level to your liking. If you prefer a milder chili, omit the jalapeños and reduce the amount of chili powder used.
- Let it simmer. The longer the chili simmers, the deeper and more complex the flavors will be.
- Let it rest. Letting the chili rest for a few minutes before serving allows all of the flavors to meld together and develop even further.
Nutrition
FAQs
How spicy is this dish?
The spiciness of the dish can be adjusted to your liking. For less heat, omit the jalapeños and reduce the chili powder to half a teaspoon. Alternatively, you can add additional peppers or seasonings if you like them extra spicy.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes! To make this dish vegetarian, omit the beef and substitute it with two cans of black beans or chickpeas. You can also add in extra vegetables like mushrooms, eggplant, or zucchini for extra texture and flavor.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes! All of the ingredients used in this recipe are naturally gluten-free. Just be sure to double-check labels on canned beans and sauces for any hidden gluten ingredients.
Is this dish healthy?
Yes, Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili is a healthy dish filled with lean protein, fiber-rich beans, and plenty of vegetables. Serve it alongside some roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad for added nutrition.
Wrapping Up
Thank you for trying out Derouen’s Cajun Ninja Chili! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
Please share this article with your friends if you enjoyed it and be sure to check out my other recipes.
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Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more