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Peach Whiskey Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 100 reviews

This Peach Whiskey Chili is a flavorful twist on classic chili, combining the sweetness of ripe peaches and the warmth of whiskey with savory ground beef, smoky spices, and hearty beans. Perfect for a comforting meal with a unique fruity kick, it balances heat, sweetness, and depth of flavor in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 large peaches, peeled and diced (fresh or frozen)
  • 2 Tablespoons whiskey or bourbon
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon molasses
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

For Serving

  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: In a large pot over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil to prepare for sautéing the aromatics.
  2. Sauté onion and garlic: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot and cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
  3. Cook the ground beef: Add 1 pound of lean ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a wooden spoon and cook for 8-10 minutes until it is fully browned and cooked through. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Add peaches: Stir in the diced peaches and cook for an additional 4 minutes, allowing them to soften and release their sweetness into the chili.
  5. Deglaze with whiskey: Pour 2 tablespoons of whiskey or bourbon into the pot to deglaze, stirring well to lift any flavorful browned bits from the bottom.
  6. Add spices and molasses: Stir in cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, chili powder, and molasses. Mix well to blend the spices evenly into the mixture.
  7. Add crushed tomatoes and simmer: Pour in the 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes and stir. Bring the chili to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to develop flavors.
  8. Incorporate kidney beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans and heat through.
  9. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and garnish each serving with a scoop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, a sprig of fresh cilantro, and sliced green onions. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey for a leaner protein option.
  • If fresh peaches are not available, frozen peaches work well.
  • Adjust cayenne pepper to control the chili’s heat level.
  • Molasses adds depth and sweetness; you can substitute with a little brown sugar if unavailable.
  • Whiskey or bourbon is optional but enhances the flavor complexity.
  • Leftover chili can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: Peach Whiskey Chili, chili recipe, fruit chili, beef chili, whiskey chili, spicy chili, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/peach-whiskey-chili-recipe/