The air is filled with the scent of spice. It's not just any spice. It is the familiar aroma of chili pepper emerging from a simmering pot. Hunger awakens as you walk near the event. You hear sounds of bubbling kettles, music, laughter, along with oh's and ah's of chili tasters. The cook-off is in full swing and you are ready to join in the fun. I brought Gesundheit Chili to one and you can find out more about it below (and vote for my recipe too).
Chili has so many variations. One big debate is whether or not it has beans in it. Then there is if it is made with beef, pork, chicken, venison, turkey, a mixture, or no meat at all. Styles vary from thick to thin, red to white, chunky to ground, and more. Each cook has their own special twist which makes theirs unique. Enthusiasts can get very serious about what makes or breaks a good chili and thus competitions began. Winners have bragging rights along with prizes. One of them is my mom because she won a chili cook-off. I took her recipe and changed it up a little to make my version of it.
Gesundheit chili has a German twist. It's a beef and tomato based chili made with German sausage and beer. Gesundheit translates to health and of course beer, sausage, beef, tomato, and spice is good for you, right? Oh yes, I am certain of it. It's thick, hearty, and has a medium spice level. Chunks of sausage and kidney beans give both extra flavor and texture to the chili. Serve it with sour cream, cheese, and your favorite chili toppings. Follow it up with apple strudel for dessert.
More about the cook-off: It's a virtual one hosted by Heather on the Sunday Supper Movement website. The winner receives a ticket to the Food and Wine Conference plus a $25 gift card. A list of all the entries and links to them are below. Voting begins at 8am Eastern time on Sunday, 2/23/14, and ends at midnight on Thursday, 2/27/14 (National Chili Day).
Have you been to a chili competition? If so, did your favorite wind up being the winning one? Perhaps that will happen with my Gesundheit chili (ahem, hint, go vote for me - see link to voting below). Good luck to all the contestants and may the best chili win.
Gesundheit Chili
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef round or chuck
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup chopped onion
- ⅓ cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 ounces
- 1 can kidney beans 16 ounces, drained
- 1 can tomato juice 5.5 ounces
- ¾ cup German pilsner beer
- 6 ounces bratwurst or knockwurst chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a 5-quart Dutch oven or soup pot. Drain fat from the cooked beef.
- Add olive oil, onions, and bell pepper to the pot. Cook over medium heat until onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add cooked beef and remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Cover loosely and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour.
Notes
Will YOU be a part of the #SundaySupper Chili Cook-Off judges panel this week? Voting is at the Sunday Supper Movement Online Community Magazine starting now and concluding (fittingly) on February 27 - National Chili Day! Browse the submissions and cast your vote by clicking here: Chili Cook-off Voting
Beef and Bison Chili
- Bison & Black Bean Chili from It's Yummi!
- Cincinnati Chili from Savvy Eats
- Easy Beef Bean Chili from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Easy Chili con Carne from Manu's Menu
- Gesundheit Chili from Magnolia Days
- Hellfire Chili from Yours And Mine Are Ours
- Hoisin Beef Chili from Small Wallet, Big Appetite
- Moroccan Harissa Spiked Chili from MarocMama
- Short Rib Chili from The Texan New Yorker
- Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Chili from Hip Foodie Mom
Pork Chili
- Apple and Red Ale Pulled Pork Chili from Curious Cuisiniere
- Pineapple Pork Chili from Melanie Makes
Chicken, Duck, and Turkey Chili
- Asian Five Spice Duck Chili from The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Buffalo Turkey Chili from La Bella Vita Cucina
- Chicken and Bell Pepper Chili from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Chicken Meatball Chipotle Chili from Soni's Food
- Gluten Free Turkey Chili from Gluten Free Crumbley
- Kickin' Chicken Chili from Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen
- Low Calorie Turkey Chili from Basic N Delicious
- Olé Mole Turkey Chili from Kudos Kitchen By Renee
- Quick & Easy Chipotle Turkey Chili from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Shockingly Delicious Chili Mole with Red Beans and Raisins from Shockingly Delicious
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili from Family Foodie
- Thai Chicken Chili from Jane's Adventures in Dinner
- White Chicken Chili from The Foodie Army Wife
Mixed (meat combo) Chili
- Best Damn Chili Ever from Noshing With The Nolands
- Chili con Tres Carne from Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
- Daddy's Favorite Chili from Momma's Meals
- Harlem Meatloaf Chili from Neighborfood
- Leslie's Best Chili from La Cocina de Leslie
Fish and Seafood Chili
- Scrumptious Seafood Chili from A Kitchen Hoor's Adventures
Vegetarian Chili
- Easy Vegetarian Chili with Raisins and Cashews from Delaware Girl Eats
- New Orleans Style Vegetarian Chili from Take A Bite Out of Boca
- Vegan Slow Cooker Chili from Killer Bunnies, Inc
Twist-on-Chili
- Chicken Chili Cheese Fries from Cindy's Recipes and Writings
- Chili Cornbread Cupcakes from In The Kitchen With KP
- Chili Topped Tater Tots from Ruffles & Truffles
- Spicy Chili Mac from girlichef
Best Wines To Pair with Chili from ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter each Sunday. We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET and you do not want to miss out on the fun. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? Click here: Sunday Supper Movement
The name of your chili cracks me up...but perfect with the beer and sausage! We'd love this version, Renee 🙂
It is a fun name for chili. Works nicely too with the German twist.
German chili, who da thunk??? Looks fabulous Renee!!
Thanks Tara
You can't go wrong with German sausage and beer. You're a girl after my own heart 🙂 Great recipe, Renee!
I agree Renee and thanks so much.
This German girl is LOVIN' those ingredients of yours, Renee! YUM 🙂
Your photos are stunning, too!
Thanks from a fellow half-German girl.
Love the German beer and that your mom won a chili- cookoff!!! you just might be next! Your chili looks great, Renee!!! love it!
Thanks so much Alice. My mom is quite proud of winning that chili cook-off.
Wow, Renee, this has to be the most unique way to prepare chili . . . and my German-Scotch husband would devour this . . . but only if there is anything left over from what I'd eat!
Thanks Roz and I'm sure you would share some of it with your husband.
What a delicious chili version. Looking forward to trying this one.
Thanks Isabel. I think your family would enjoy it.
Your chili looks just amazing! I love the addition of the beer!! I am bookmarking your recipe.
Thanks for bookmarking it Jennifer!
Such a fun name and delicious looking chili. I love the addition of the sausage although no beans for me please! 🙂
Okay, I'll leave out the beans when I make it for you.
Beer and brats in chili? I think this is how my husbands name is spelled!
Too funny Shannon! You should make it for him.
A bowl of this would cure anything that ails us!
Sure thing! Or, well, almost anything.
Very cool that you were able to make your mom's recipe into your own. Family recipes are the best!
Yes, family recipes sure are the best and some of the greatest treasure to document and keep for future generations.
That sounds fantastic - wow it truly is a Gesundheit's Chili; Chili with a German twist. I love it….Now I have to tell you that I had no idea that a cook-off is a competition.
You learn something new every day.
Oh man, German beer and brats? This is totally going to be a winner at our house!
Thanks and glad to see your family enjoys German beer and brats.
How amazing does this look??!! I feel bad for all those voters out there, it's going to be a tough call, I love your addition of the bratwurst in it! Mmm!
Thank you so much Tammi! It is a tough decision for the voters. So many great recipes in the event.
Beer and German sausage??? YESSS please! I'll have big bowl if that! And I love the name of your chili!!! 🙂
Thanks Manu! I love the name of it too.
Niiice - I am liking the ingredients and flavors for this dish! What a nice twist...
Thanks Katie! I just had to do a German twist for this event.
I had to click on your link just because of the name! My husband would love brats in his chili though - I must try this one!
I think it's a fun name for the chili. My sister-in-law came up with it when my mom entered her version into the cook-off.
It's 1am here and I'm checking out all this chili and my stomach is growling. I am insanely jealous of the cheese on top because I can't get it in Morocco. Warm up a big bowl for me please?!?
I sure will warm up a bowl for you. I'm surprised you can't get cheese in Morocco. How interesting.
This is so unique - love it!
Thanks Brianne! And I think it is quite unique too.
All this time I thought the word, Gesundheit, was only said when someone sneezed!! 🙂
Delicious chili and your pictures are gorgeous.
You say Gesundheit when someone sneezes to wish them health. Thanks a bunch for the compliment on my photography.
Love the German twist! We will be trying this one soon for sure!
I'm loving all the cultural twists on chili for this event. Such fun and such great recipes.
I love the addition of the bratwurst and beer in this chili.
Thanks Laura! I have to thank my mom for the original inspiration.
Oh I love this! I'll have to make it soon. My parents used to live in Germany (before I was born - sniff - so I never to to experience it), and they would both go nuts over this. Thanks for sharing!
You should visit Germany some time. It is such a beautiful country and the food is fabulous.
Ooh Beer and Sausage are reasons enough for me to fall for this lovely chili!! Delicious flavors and a lovely color you've got 🙂
Thanks Soni and I appreciate the compliment.
Yes, please! Brats in chili! What a great combination! Do you prefer wine or beer with your chili Renee?
I actually prefer wine with chili. I'm not a beer drinker these days.
did I hear beer? I'm in
Yes, you did hear (or see) beer. Oh so good in this chili and with it too.
Beer and sausage in chili? It is a trifecta!!
Yes it is! Thanks Bobbi
I love adding sausage to Bolognese sauce for all the reasons you mentioned, Renee, but I never thought to add it to chili! I think a bowl of this would be downright medicinal on a cold day!
I've never thought to add sausage to Bolognese sauce. Now I'm wanting to try it too.
Hmm. Now I'm super hungry for chili and it's not even noon. And I always add beans. 🙂
I actually had this chili before noon one day. I was so hungry and had some leftover in the fridge. It sure did hit the spot.
Bless you for sharing this Gesundheit Chili! Chili, beer, and german sausage...oh my! 🙂
Thanks so much Leslie.
Beer and sausage chili? Now that's a stellar idea! I never knew Gesundheit meant health. Sneezing makes so much more sense now. 🙂
Yes, it's to wish someone health after they sneeze.
This chili is totally up my husband's alley - he loves beer and brats!
Beer and brats is such a natural combination and adding it to chili makes it even better.
However, be sure not to let it simmer more than a few seconds, otherwise all that great sausage
flavor end up in the water and you'll be left with
something very bland excuse for a sausage. Deep and pan frying are two favorites when it comes to cooking wings.
The liquid is needed to properly soften and cook vegetables.