Southern hot dog chili (Printer-Friendly)

A flavorful Southern chili with ground beef and spices, perfect for topping hot dogs or enjoying on its own.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Produce

01 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
02 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Meat

03 - 1 pound lean ground beef

→ Spices and Seasonings

04 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Liquids

08 - 1 cup beef broth
09 - 6 ounces tomato paste
10 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
11 - 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

→ Thickener

12 - 2 tablespoons cornmeal

# Steps to Make This:

01 - Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
02 - Add the ground beef to the saucepan. Cook, breaking up the meat with a potato masher or spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. If excess grease accumulates, drain some before proceeding.
03 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, sugar, kosher salt, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, and beef broth. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
04 - Sprinkle cornmeal gradually into the mixture while stirring to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt if needed. Optionally, transfer to a slow cooker set to warm for serving. Serve warm atop hot dogs.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Cornmeal acts as a natural thickener for the chili; omit if a thinner consistency is preferred.
02 - To add heat, incorporate diced jalapenos or green chilies during cooking.
03 - Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to five days or freeze for up to three months.