Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe – Hungarian Chef

Last Updated on March 17, 2024

Chili is one of the most popular dishes in the United States and around the world. It’s a classic dish that has been around for centuries and is still a favorite today. The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe is a spin on the classic chili recipe. This recipe was featured on the Food Network show Diners Drive Ins and Dives and has quickly become a fan favorite.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe so delicious, the ingredients, the step-by-step directions, and how to store it. We’ll also provide some tips and nutrition information about the dish. Finally, we’ll discuss some other substitutions you can use in the recipe and answer some frequently asked questions.

diners drive ins and dives chili recipe

What is Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili ?

Host Guy Fieri embarks on a captivating road trip across the US, exploring beloved local diners, drive-in restaurants, and dive bars. Along the way, he engages with owners, staff, and patrons, celebrating the unique flavors and stories that make these establishments cherished by the community. 

One of his most popular recipes is The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili . It is a unique take on the classic chili dish. It was featured on the Food Network’s show Diners Drive Ins and Dives and quickly became a fan favorite. The chili is made with a blend of ground beef, beans, and vegetables, and is cooked in a flavorful tomato and chili sauce. This dish is great for a quick and easy meal that is packed with flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe?

The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. The combination of ground beef, beans, and vegetables makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. It’s also a great dish to make ahead of time and freeze for later.

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How Does It Taste Like?

The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe has a unique flavor that is both savory and spicy. The combination of ground beef, beans, and vegetables creates a hearty and satisfying dish. The tomato and chili sauce adds a depth of flavor that really rounds out the dish. The chili is also a great dish to customize with your favorite flavors and seasonings.

 Ingredients

The ingredients for the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe are simple and easy to find. You’ll need:

  • Bulbs of Garlic, minced: Garlic adds depth and aroma to the chili, providing a savory and pungent flavor that enhances the overall taste.
  • Organic Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper adds heat and a spicy kick to the chili, elevating its overall flavor profile.
  • Medium Vidalia Sweet Onion, diced: Sweet onions like Vidalia add sweetness to balance the heat and acidity of other ingredients in the chili, creating a well-rounded flavor.
  • Cold-Pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Olive oil helps to sauté and cook the ingredients while adding a subtle fruity note to the overall dish.
  • Coarsely Ground Black Pepper: Black pepper provides a mild heat and earthy flavor that compliments the other spices and ingredients in the chili.
  • Guajillo Chile Peppers, deseeded and finely chopped: Guajillo peppers contribute a mild heat and a slightly fruity, tangy flavor to the chili. They also impart a deep red color.
  • Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped: Red bell peppers offer a subtle sweetness and a pop of color. They add a mild flavor and contribute to the overall texture of the chili.
  •  Fresno Chile Pepper, thinly sliced: Fresno peppers bring a moderate level of heat and a hint of fruity flavor to the chili. They also add a vibrant color.
  • Anaheim Chile Pepper, diced: Anaheim peppers provide a mild to medium level of heat with a slightly earthy and sweet taste, complementing the other chilies in the dish.
  • Ancho Chile Peppers, soaked, seeded, and pureed: Ancho peppers have a mild heat and a rich, sweet flavor with notes of dried fruit and earthiness. They’re often used as a base for chili due to their deep, complex taste.
  • Grass-Fed Beef Chuck Roast, cubed: Chuck roast adds hearty beefiness and a satisfying texture to the chili when cooked low and slow, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • Homemade Beef Stock: Beef stock intensifies the meaty flavor of the chili while providing a rich base for the other ingredients to simmer and meld together.
  • Freshly Ground Cumin: Cumin offers a warm, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor that’s quintessential in many chili recipes. It enhances the overall depth of the dish.
  • Fresh Cilantro Leaves, chopped: Cilantro adds a fresh, citrusy note and a hint of herbal freshness, balancing the richness of the other ingredients.
  • Craft-Brewed Mexican Lager: Beer like Mexican lager adds depth, a slight bitterness, and malty sweetness to the chili while helping to tenderize the meat and create a complex flavor profile.
  • Himalayan Pink Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the ingredients, balancing the sweetness, acidity, and heat while bringing out the natural tastes of the dish.
  • De Arbol Peppers, crushed: De Arbol peppers provide a punchy heat, adding spiciness and depth of flavor to the chili.
  • Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef: Ground beef contributes to the meaty texture of the chili, and when combined with the chuck roast, it adds layers of flavor.
  • Ancho Chili Powder: Ancho chili powder intensifies the chili flavor with its mild heat and smoky, slightly sweet taste.
  • Organic All-Purpose Flour: Flour helps to thicken the chili, creating a hearty consistency and binding the flavors together.
diners drive ins and dives chili

Step by Step Directions

Making the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe is easy and doesn’t take long. Here’s how to make it:

Step 1: Prepare the Chili Base

  • Heat the Pot: Begin by heating a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat and add olive oil.
  • Sauté Vegetables: Once the oil is heated, add minced garlic, diced Vidalia onion, red bell pepper, Fresno chile pepper, and Anaheim chile pepper. Cook until the onions are translucent and the peppers have softened.

Step 2: Meat Preparation

  • Add Beef: Incorporate cubed grass-fed beef chuck roast into the pot. Brown the beef by stirring occasionally until it’s browned on all sides along with the sautéed vegetables.

Step 3: Spice Infusion

  • Incorporate Flavors: Add soaked, seeded, and pureed Ancho chile peppers to the pot. Then include ground cumin, Himalayan pink salt, crushed De Arbol peppers, coarsely ground black pepper, Ancho chili powder, and organic cayenne pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine all the spices.

Step 4: Ground Beef Addition

  • Introduce Ground Beef: Add organic grass-fed ground beef to the pot. Cook until it’s thoroughly browned and mixed in with the rest of the ingredients.

Step 5: Liquid Ingredients

  • Pour in Liquids: Add homemade beef stock and craft-brewed Mexican lager to the pot. Stir the mixture well to incorporate all ingredients.

Step 6: Simmer and Thicken

  • Simmer: Reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the chili to simmer for at least an hour to let the flavors meld together. Stir occasionally during this time.
  • Thicken the Chili: In a separate bowl, create a slurry by mixing organic all-purpose flour with a small amount of water. Slowly add this slurry to the chili to thicken it to your preferred consistency.

Step 7: Final Touches

  • Adjust Seasoning: Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning if necessary to suit your preferences.
  • Garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro leaves on top as a flavorful garnish.

Step 8: Serve

  • Present and Enjoy: Ladle the hot chili into bowls and serve. Consider offering toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, or chopped green onions for added flavor and texture.

Tips

Here are some tips for making the perfect Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe:

– Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
– Add more or less chili powder to adjust the spiciness of the chili.
– For a thicker chili, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the pot.
– Use diced green chilies instead of cayenne pepper for a milder chili.
– To add more flavor, add a tablespoon of smoked paprika.

diners drive ins and dives chili

Nutrition Information

The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe is a great option for a healthy meal. One serving of the chili is about 250 calories and contains 9 grams of fat, 11 grams of protein, and 11 grams of carbohydrates.

How to Store Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe

The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The chili can also be frozen for up to three months.

What Other Substitute Can I Use in Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe?

If you don’t have all the ingredients for the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe, there are some substitutions you can make. Here are some ideas:

– Use ground turkey or chicken instead of ground beef.
– Use black beans instead of kidney beans.
– Use diced jalapenos instead of cayenne pepper.
– Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
– Use diced bell peppers instead of onion.

diners drive ins and dives chili

Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe

Chili is one of the most popular dishes in the United States and around the world. It’s a classic dish that has been around for centuries and is still a favorite today.
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: diners drive ins and dives chili recipe
Servings: 6
Calories: 157kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 Anaheim Chile Pepper diced
  • 2 Ancho Chile Peppers soaked, seeded, and pureed
  • 1/2 Pound Grass-Fed Beef Chuck Roast cubed
  • 4 bulbs of Garlic minced
  • 2 Guajillo Chile Peppers deseeded and finely chopped
  • 1 Medium Vidalia Sweet Onion diced
  • 1 Red Bell Pepper finely chopped
  • 1 Fresno Chile Pepper thinly sliced
  • 1/2 quart of Homemade Beef Stock
  • 2 tablespoons of Cold-Pressed Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon of Coarsely Ground Black Pepper
  • 3 tablespoons of Ancho Chili Powder
  • 2 tablespoons of Organic All-Purpose Flour
  • 1/2 tablespoon of Organic Cayenne Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons of Freshly Ground Cumin
  • 1/4 Cup of Fresh Cilantro Leaves chopped
  • 12 Ounces of Craft-Brewed Mexican Lager
  • 3 teaspoons of Himalayan Pink Salt
  • 2 De Arbol Peppers crushed
  • 1/2 Pound Organic Grass-Fed Ground Beef

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add minced garlic, diced Vidalia onion, red bell pepper, Fresno chile pepper, and Anaheim chile pepper. Sauté until onions are translucent and peppers are softened.
  • Add cubed grass-fed beef chuck roast to the pot and brown it with the sautéed vegetables. Stir occasionally until beef is browned on all sides.
  • Incorporate the soaked, seeded, and pureed Ancho chile peppers into the pot.
  • Add ground cumin, Himalayan pink salt, crushed De Arbol peppers, coarsely ground black pepper, Ancho chili powder, and organic cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine.
  • Introduce the organic grass-fed ground beef to the pot. Cook until it’s browned and mixed thoroughly with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Pour in the homemade beef stock and craft-brewed Mexican lager. Stir the mixture well.
  • Lower the heat to a simmer. Let the chili simmer for at least an hour, allowing flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
  • In a separate bowl, mix organic all-purpose flour with a small amount of water to create a slurry. Slowly incorporate this into the chili to thicken it to your desired consistency.
  • Taste the chili and adjust seasoning if necessary.
  • Just before serving, sprinkle freshly chopped cilantro leaves on top as a garnish.
  • Ladle the chili into bowls and serve hot, perhaps with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, diced avocado, or chopped green onions if desired.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef for a healthier option.
  • Add more or less chili powder to adjust the spiciness of the chili.
  • For a thicker chili, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the pot.
  • Use diced green chilies instead of cayenne pepper for a milder chili.
  • To add more flavor, add a tablespoon of smoked paprika.

Nutrition

Calories: 157kcal
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I make the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe in a slow cooker. Just brown the ground beef in a skillet and then add all the ingredients to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Q2. Can I freeze the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe?

Yes, you can freeze the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe. Allow the chili to cool completely and then transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to three months.

Q3. Is the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe spicy?

The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe has a mild heat level. If you want to make it spicier, you can add more chili powder or some diced jalapenos.

Q4. Can I make the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe vegetarian?

Yes, you can make the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe vegetarian. Just omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. You can also add some diced vegetables such as bell peppers or zucchini to the chili.

Q5. How long does the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe take to make?

The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe takes about 30 minutes to make. This includes the time it takes to brown the ground beef and simmer the chili.

Q6. Is the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe healthy?

Yes, the Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe is a healthy dish. It’s packed with lean protein from ground beef and lots of fiber from the beans and vegetables.

Q7. Can I use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes?

Yes, you can use fresh tomatoes instead of canned tomatoes. Just dice the tomatoes and add them to the pot with the other ingredients.

Conclusion

The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for busy weeknights. It’s packed with flavor and is sure to be a hit with the whole family. The combination of ground beef, beans, and vegetables makes for a hearty and satisfying meal. With a few simple substitutions, you can make this chili vegetarian or adjust the heat level to your liking. The Diners Drive Ins and Dives Chili Recipe is a great option for a healthy and flavorful meal.

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Lori Walker is a passionate dietitian and food lover. She offers simple and nutritious recipes that don't take long to cook. In addition to sharing delicious dishes, she also shares useful advice on saving time and money in the kitchen. She believes that with a bit of creativity, anyone can make healthy meals that won't break the bank. Read more

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