Bob’s Little Known, Less Cared About Chili

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 3 (15.5 ounce) cans kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup chili powder
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
• Salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco), or to taste (optional)

Directions

Cook bacon and onion together in a large pot over medium heat until the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, garlic and cumin to the pot; cook and stir until the beef is completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes.

Stir kidney beans, diced tomatoes, water, chili powder, liquid smoke, salt, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce into the beef mixture; bring to a simmer and cook until thick, about 1 hour. Skim excess grease if desired.