Three Bean Enchilada Chili - three times the flavor plus secret ingredients that makes this a secret chili restaurant recipe!

This chili restaurant recipe is a secret restaurant recipe because it specifically calls for Ancho chile powder, and it does make a difference. And this chili recipe is also somewhat unusual because it uses a secret restaurant enchilada sauce instead of tomatoes!

The Ancho is a dried poblano chile which is then ground into powder. Ancho chiles have a mild, fruity and slightly sweet taste. They start out as fresh green poblano chiles and after being ripened to red and then dried, they become shriveled, smoky and dark brown in color. Left to dry, the chiles can be crushed and made into spice powder or used to season chili and other Mexican dishes such as mole and tacos.

I created this recipe at home, tested it on my husband and then tried it at my restaurant after my husband raved about it and encouraged me to do so. My restaurant customer were pleased he asked me to do so. It is now a favorite restaurant chili recipe.

Three Bean Enchilada Chili Recipe

Chili Restaurant Recipe

Preparation time: 30 minutes for preparing the sauce. Serves 6-8.

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil

• 2 pounds lean ground beef, ground chuck or other meat such as chopped chuck steak or even chicken or pork

• 1 cup onions, chopped

• 1 cup red, green or yellow bell pepper, chopped

• 8 cups of my enchilada sauce (recipe below)

• One 15-16 ounce can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained

• One 15-16 ounce can red or kidney beans, rinsed and drained

• One 15-16 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained

• 1 tablespoon Ancho chile powder (use Ancho - it makes a difference and makes this a secret restaurant recipe)

• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1 teaspoon sea salt or to taste

• 1 cup (or to taste) Cheddar or Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded

• 1/2 cup (or to taste) Green onions, chopped

Instructions:

• Heat oil in a 3-4 quart soup pot over medium-high heat, add meat and cook until beginning to brown

• Add the onions and peppers and cook until crisp-tender (4-5 minutes), stirring occasionally

• Drain meat mixture, add my enchilada sauce, beans and spices and bring to boil

• Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until meat is tender (if using chopped meat) and flavors are blended

• Correct seasoning to your taste

• Ladle into bowls and garnish with shredded cheese and green onions and tortilla chips if you like

Serve with cornbread or warm tortillas and enjoy!

Enchilada Sauce

Preparation time: 30 minutes. Serves 6-8.

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, olive oil or bacon drippings

• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

• 3 tablespoons flour

• 1 teaspoon ground oregano

• 2 tablespoons chile powder (Ancho chile powder, if you have it)

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste (I sometimes use taco sauce)

• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, optional

• 4 cups beef stock

Instructions:

• Heat oil or bacon drippings in a skillet over low heat and saute the garlic, flour and oregano until golden in color

• Add chile powder, 1 cup of beef stock, tomato paste and simmer for 2-3 minutes

• Add remaining stock, salt, white pepper and cayenne

• Simmer for 20-30 minutes

• Correct seasoning

TA-DA! You're done!

Enjoy your Three Bean Enchilada Chili made with this delicious enchilada sauce and the company of those you share it with.