Some recipes feel like old friends. Brett Favre’s family chili is one of those for me. It is a Creole-style dish that has been in his family for years. The ingredients of this Brett Favre chili recipe are very simple, but the flavor is rich and comforting. The best part about this recipe is that it cooks in a slow cooker. You just need to put everything in the slow cooker, turn it on, and let it cook while you enjoy your day. This Brett Favre chili recipe is easy to make, tasty, and mouth-watering.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Quick prep, slow cook: You only need around twenty minutes to get everything ready for this recipe. After that, the slow cooker does all the work.
- Balanced flavors: This Brett Favre chili recipe blends ground beef, beans, veggies, and Creole spices. The result is a rich, mild chili with just the right amount of warmth.
- Flexible heat: You can make this chili mild or spicy. Just adjust the chili powder or add some fresh chilies.
- Lasting appeal: This creole chili tastes even better the next day. You can also freeze the leftovers for an easy meal later.
What Is the Brett Favre Chili?
Brett Favre’s family chili is a cozy and flavorful dish that mixes southern Creole cooking with classic American chili. This chili includes kidney beans and several types of canned tomatoes. That makes it different from Texas-style chili, which usually skips the beans. The base ingredients of this recipe include onion, celery, and bell pepper. These vegetables are gently cooked to release their flavor before anything else is added.
After that, we put ground beef into the pot, along with a packet of chili seasoning. To deepen the flavor, we also add extra chili powder and a little Creole spice. These bring in warm, earthy notes like cumin and paprika, with just a touch of heat.
One of the special ingredients in this recipe is a small can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. It melts into the chili while it cooks and makes the sauce thick and smooth.
Because this creole chili cooks slowly, all the flavors have time to come together. The meat turns tender, the spices blend nicely, and the sauce gets rich without feeling too heavy. The final bowl of this chili has a gentle heat and a comforting texture that is so flavorful and delicious.
Tasty Variations of Brett Favre Chili You Can Try
You can easily change this chili to match your taste. The basic recipe stays the same, but a few small changes can give it a whole new flavor.
Extra-Spicy Game-Day Chili
If you like your chili hot, you can make it spicier. Try replacing some of the ground beef with spicy sausage. You can also add chopped jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or a little chipotle powder. Start with a small amount and add more later if you want it hotter.
Smoky BBQ Chili
To give your chili a smoky, barbecue flavor, mix in a spoonful of barbecue sauce before cooking. You can also add chopped smoked sausage or a bit of cooked bacon. These ingredients add a rich and smoky taste that goes well with the beef and beans.
Vegetarian or Vegan Chili
For a meat-free version, you can replace the ground beef with extra beans, chopped mushrooms, or tofu. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth. Instead of condensed mushroom soup, you can use a plant-based creamy soup or a little mashed sweet potato to thicken the chili. It will still taste great and have the same cozy feeling.
Creole Style Slow Cooker Brett Favre Chili Recipe
6
servings20
minutes6
hours320
kcal6
hours20
minutesKeep the screen of your device on
Ingredients for Brett Favre Chili
1½ pounds 1½ pounds lean ground beef
2 bell peppers, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 small yellow onion, chopped
½ cup ½ cup green onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can 1 can diced tomatoes
1 can 1 can diced tomatoes with roasted garlic
1 can 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 can 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 chili seasoning packet
1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon chili powder
½ tablespoon ½ teaspoon Creole seasoning
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Butter or oil, for sautéing
How to Make Brett Favre Chili
- Chop and Brown
First, wash all of the vegetables and dry them with a paper towel. After that, chop all the vegetables. Heat a pan over medium-high heat and add a little butter to it. Add the ground beef, season it with salt and pepper, and cook until it turns brown. Once browned, drain the extra fat. - Assemble the Chili
Pour the cooked beef and vegetables into your slow cooker. Add the kidney beans and all three cans of tomatoes. Add the cream of mushroom soup and stir until everything is well mixed. If it looks too thick, add about ¼ cup of water or broth. - Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker and set it to low for 6 to 8 hours. This slow cooking time helps the flavors blend well. If you are short on time, cook it on high for 3 to 4 hours.
About 30 minutes before you serve, taste the chili. Add more salt, pepper, or chili powder if needed. If it is too thick, add a little water. If it is too thin, cook it uncovered for a short time to thicken it. - Serve and Enjoy
Spoon the chili into bowls. Add your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, sliced jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, or crushed chips. This chili goes well with cornbread, rice, or baked potatoes.
Chef Tips for the Perfect Brett Favre Chili
Get the Right Balance of Spice and Flavor
It is better to add a little chili powder at first. You can always add more later if you want more heat. But once it becomes too spicy, you cannot fix it easily. Taste the chili while it is cooking and adjust the spice slowly.
Brown the meat before adding it
Make sure you cook the ground beef in a pan before adding it to the slow cooker. Browning gives the meat a rich, savory flavor. If you skip this step, the chili may taste flat.
Keep the lid closed while cooking
Try not to open the lid too often. The slow cooker works best when it stays hot and moist inside. If you lift the lid again and again, it will take longer to cook, and the chili might turn out dry.
Sauté the vegetables and spices together
Cook the onions, celery, and bell peppers in a pan for a few minutes before adding them to the slow cooker. Add the spices at this stage too. This helps the vegetables taste sweeter and makes the whole chili more flavorful.
How to Store and Reheat Your Brett Favre Chili
Storing Chili in the Fridge
Let the chili cool completely after cooking. Then put it into clean containers with tight lids. Keep it in the fridge for up to four days. Make sure the containers are sealed so the chili stays fresh.
Freezing Chili the Right Way
You can also freeze the chili if you want to keep it longer. Use freezer-safe containers or strong zip-top bags. Leave a little space at the top in case the chili expands when it freezes. Write the date on the container. You can freeze it for up to three months.
Reheating Chili Without Losing Flavor
When you want to eat the chili again, warm it slowly. You can reheat it on the stove over low heat. If it looks too thick, add a little water or broth and stir gently. You can also heat it in the microwave. Use short time bursts and stir in between so it heats evenly. After warming, taste it. You might want to add a bit more salt or chili powder to bring back the flavor.
Nutrition Breakdown
Each bowl of chili gives you about 320 to 350 calories. It has around 22 grams of protein, 25 to 30 grams of carbohydrates, and about 12 grams of fat.
The beans and vegetables add 7 to 8 grams of fiber. They also give you helpful nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and iron.
If you want to make it lighter, use lean ground beef to lower the fat. You can also add more beans or vegetables to get more fiber and plant-based protein.
FAQs
How spicy is the original Brett Favre version?
The original version of Brett Favre chili has a mild to medium level of spice. It includes a packet of chili seasoning, a little chili powder, and a pinch of Creole seasoning. It is warm and flavorful but not too hot. If you like extra spice, you can always add jalapeños or more chili powder.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, you can use ground turkey instead of beef. Just make sure to brown it well before adding it to the slow cooker. The turkey version will be a little lighter and still very tasty. You can also add a bit more seasoning to boost the flavor if needed.
How long will the chili last in the fridge?
Once cooled, the chili will last in the fridge for about four days. Keep it in a sealed container to stay fresh. You can reheat it on the stove or in the microwave whenever you are ready to eat it again.
Can I freeze this chili?
Yes, you can freeze this chili. Let it cool completely first. Then put it in freezer-safe containers or bags. It will stay good in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can make this chili in a slow cooker. After browning the meat and sautéing the vegetables, you just need to add everything to the slow cooker and let it cook on low for six to eight hours. This helps the flavors blend and makes the chili rich and flavorful.
