Smokey Crock Pot Chili

I have played around with multiple chili recipes of my own throughout the past few years of my life. This is by far the best chili that I have ever made or eaten. I kid you not. It will be the best chili you ever eat too. It makes great leftovers and freezes well. The unique smokey flavor is what makes this chili amazing. It is great on baked potatoes, chili dogs, frito pies and/or any other recipe you'd use chili in. Plus the crock pot does most of the work for you, so I'd say this recipe is a winner. I urge you to make this chili. You will be pleasantly surprised and pleased with the outcome.

Smokey Crock Pot Chili

1/2 medium onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 lb. ground beef or ground turkey
3 slices bacon, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
2 (15 oz) cans crushed tomatoes in puree
2 (10 oz) cans rotel tomatoes*
2 (15 oz) cans can dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 Tbsp chili powder**
2 tsp. cumin**
1 tsp. salt**
1/2 Tbsp. liquid smoke (or more if you'd like)***

Brown ground beef with onion, garlic, and bacon. Immediately transfer to crockpot, draining fat from meat as you scoop it into the crockpot (this is very important unless you want a lot of fat swimming on top of your chili). Add remaining ingredients and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Makes 8 (1 Cup) servings. Top individual servings with sour cream and cheese.

Recipe Source: A Taste Tester Original

Serve with a big garden salad.

EASY DINNER IDEAS FOR LEFTOVER CHILI

#1 Potato Bar
Wash one potato per person. Wrap in foil and place in large crock pot. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4. Reheat Chili and serve over crock-pot baked potatoes with your favorite toppings. (We like green onions, sour cream, and shredded cheddar cheese).

#2 Chili Dogs
Cook hotdogs and toast hot dog buns. Reheat chili. Serve chili over hot dogs in buns. Top with other favorite toppings (we like diced onion and cheddar cheese).

#3 Frito Pies
Cut miniature bags of Fritos open. Reheat extra chili. Spoon desired amount of chili into bags and top with favorite toppings (we like grated cheese, sour cream, green onions, pico de gallo, and shredded lettuce).