While this isn't the best chili I've had, it is the best recipe for chili that I've made. The bacon is awesome, I even added a teaspoon of bacon fat I'd been saving in the fridge. And the spice mixture is very yummy; next time I might even use Hungarian paprika for more heat. I do think this chili needs some tomatoes, though.

Very easy, fast, I used bacon grease only, and followed this recipe but I substituted the meat for some leftovers from a prime rib dinner, same weight in recipe, at the end cooking stage and after adding water to boil...I set up the crock pot with a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper, and fresh garlic for added flavor. I let stew a while...Excellent over rice.. thanks enjoy

For added antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids use chopped dried cherries, cocoa powder, and grass-fed beef or venison. Here's a link to our recipe, http://yourfoodchoices.wordpress.com/. Cheers!

Thanks LOVETHEFOOD -- I followed your version of this tonight -- mainly because I had leftover sausage -- and it was excellent!

WOW. I used to be a chili block lover, but Sara Lee stopped making the one we loved and I was devastated. Couldn't find a replacement recipe until this one. WE LOVE IT! Thanks, Martha.

Liz... I love my chili with tomoatoes so instead of adding water I add a 28 oz can of diced tomatoes to this recipe.

Many of the recipes in the books and in the magazines do not always come out right and have to be fiddled with. I learned a long time ago! Still like to look and see what is on offer and then that usually gets me thinking about how I might make something similar. So I still take a peak every now and then. I would never make chili without chili powder or ground chilis. Complete sicie chest or not!

Not every chili has beans or tomatoes. There are millions of chili recipes with endless variations.

the chili I grew up with, made by our mexican cook, had no tomatoes. In fact, chili con carne has beans but beans are not an integral part of real chili. I prefer it with no tomatoes. You do not need chili powder as it is just a mixture of the spices listed here for those who do not have a complete spice chest.

I agree with Ellisse, beans are a normal addition, but I can see leaving them out for beanless chilli....however, WHERE IS the Chili Powder and the tomatoes? Will try a modified version of this tonight I think, and report back with what I did and how it came out. Thanks.