Route 66 Roadhouse Chili Fix

Embark on a flavor-packed journey with this Route 66 Roadhouse Chili Fix, a hearty, smoky, and savory classic that brings roadside comfort straight to your kitchen. Made with a perfect blend of ground beef, chorizo, and two kinds of beans, this chili is elevated with bold spices like smoked paprika, chili powder, and ground cumin. A hint of dark chocolate adds depth, while fresh toppings like cheddar cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños let you customize each bowl. Slow-simmered for maximum flavor, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser for game days, potlucks, or crisp evenings. Ready in just over an hour, this robust chili pairs perfectly with cornbread or tortilla chips for a satisfying, soul-warming meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, diced (red or green)
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1.5 pounds ground beef or ground chuck
• 0.5 pounds chorizo sausage, casing removed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 15-ounce can canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 1 28-ounce can canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 15-ounce can canned black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 15-ounce can canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 1.5 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 0.5 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 ounce dark chocolate, roughly chopped
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional garnish)
• 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional topping)
• 0.5 cup sour cream (optional topping)
• 0.25 cup sliced jalapeños (optional topping)

Directions

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.

Step 2

Add the diced onion and bell pepper. Sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Add the ground beef and chorizo to the pot. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned and fully cooked through, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease if necessary.

Step 5

Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.

Step 6

Add the diced tomatoes with green chilies, crushed tomatoes, and beef broth to the pot. Stir to combine.

Step 7

Add the black beans and kidney beans, stirring them into the mixture.

Step 8

Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, ground coriander, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.

Step 9

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 10

Uncover the pot and stir in the chopped dark chocolate. Let it melt and incorporate into the chili, adding a subtle richness.

Step 11

Taste and adjust seasonings as desired. If the chili is too thick, add a splash of water or beef broth to reach your preferred consistency.

Step 12

Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and sliced jalapeños if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	4014.6 grams (4014.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4971

Total Fat 310.80g	398%
Saturated Fat 121.70g	609%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.70g
Cholesterol 774mg	258%
Sodium 14440mg	628%
Total Carbohydrate 282.40g	103%
Dietary Fiber 84.90g	303%
Total Sugars 85.60g
Protein 262.80g	526%

Vitamin D 54IU	271%
Calcium 1470mg	113%
Iron 60mg	332%
Potassium 9616mg	205%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 56.2%

Protein: 21.1%

Carbs: 22.7%