2025 -Karen’s Homestyle Chili Recipe

byKarren Cullum

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Karen is a native Texan and Houstonian and got her start on the competitive chili circuit with her brother Kevin Foley and friends in the 1980’s. She became a member of the International Chili Society in 2004 and picked up her first ICS win in 2010 at the Arizona State Championship in Payson, Arizona. She is honored to represent the International Chili Society and Bush’s Beans as the 2025 Homestyle World Champion. She couldn’t have accomplished any of this without the love and support of her husband Don, her brother Kevin, her sister-in-law Donna and her extended chili family. The best part of all this is the many friends she has made all over the United States.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. beef chuck shoulder (cut in small cubes)
• 1 tsp cooking oil (or Crisco)
• 1 tsp. seasoned salt
• 1 – 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 8 oz. low sodium beef broth
• 8 oz. low sodium chicken broth
• 8 oz. bottled water
• 1 serrano pepper (make a small slice/hole on side of pepper)
• 1 - 14.5 oz. can Bush Pinto Beans (drained and rinsed)
• 1 - 14 oz. can diced tomatoes (drained)
• 1 chicken bouillon cube
• 1 beef bouillon cube

• Spice Dump 1
• 1 Tbsp. Texas Red Dog chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. jalapeno powder
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper

• Spice Dump 2
• 4 Tbsp. San Antonio Red chili powder
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 ½ tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. brown sugar

• Spice Dump 3
• 1 Tbsp. Texas San Antonio Red chili poder
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• ½ tsp. onion powder
• 1 ½ tsp. cumin

Instructions

• Brown meat with cooking oil and seasoned salt; In 4 – 5 quart sauce pan, bring tomato sauce, broth, water, and bouillon to a boil; add “Spice Dump 1” and whisk well; add browned beef to the mixture. Return to a boil; add serrano pepper, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.

• Add “Spice Dump 2” and whisk well, remove serrano pepper and squeeze juice from pepper into the pot; simmer for 30 – 45 minutes.

• Add “Spice Dump 3” to chili mixture and whisk well; add diced tomatoes and beans to mixture; simmer for 30 – 45 minutes. Enjoy!