Super Delicious North Carolina Chili Recipes

Chili is a favored meal in the south and a wide variety of chili recipes abound out there for cooks both experienced and those just seeking a great meal for the family. North Carolina has as many diverse chili cooks as any state, and delicious chili recipes aren't hard to find among Carolina cooks.

Charlotte-style White Chili

2 lbs ground turkey
1 teaspoon cumin
1 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons instant chicken bouillon
3 cups chicken broth
2 (15-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, drained
¼ teaspoon Cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon water1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies (or fresh chilies)
Salt to taste
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce

Cook the ground turkey with the ½ teaspoon of the cumin, green pepper, garlic and

1 tablespoon of the bouillon in large skillet until turkey is cooked; drain. Combine chicken broth, remaining bouillon, beans, and remaining cumin with turkey mixture in a soup pot. Simmer over low heat 45 minutes stirring occasionally.

Combine Cayenne with water and mix well. Add cumin to remaining ingredients. Simmer 15 minutes, stirring frequently...then serve. Serves 8.

Quick Southern Chili

1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 green pepper, diced
1 sweet onion, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 lb pinto beans, cooked
1 tablespoon chili pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
Shredded cheddar cheese
Saltine crackers

Brown ground beef in a large skillet or pot; drain. Add all other ingredients except cheese. Stir well and simmer covered on low heat for 1 ½ hours. Spoon into bowls and sprinkle with cheese. Serve with saltine crackers. Serves 8.

Meatlover's Chili (some people in North Carolina call this Texas-style)

3 lbs chuck roast, cubed
1 ½ lbs pork roast, cubed
1 large onion, chopped
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced
2 ounces chili pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (optional, makes the chili hotter)
1 small can tomato paste
1 bottle beer
Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients and simmer covered over low heat for about 3 to 5 hours. Serves 12.

For more southern recipes see my blog A Dash of Salty