You know what I hate? Well, it seems like a lot of things by sound of my posts at times, but that’s not totally true. I do hate one thing for sure, though. Expensive purses. Yep, I hate them. Sh*t like Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, or any of those brand names that I absolutely have no idea how to spell…yeah, I hate them. I’ve never been a brand name person. Maybe it’s because I can’t afford that kind of crap OR MAYBE it’s because I have a brain and I use it. What’s the point of an expensive purse? Most of the time, when you take it to a restaurant or bar, you end up having to put it on the floor since the table isn’t big enough. Do you know what’s been on the floor of that bar? I do. I’ve had friends that have peed on the floor while standing at the bar. Legit peed. Then I’ve had friends that have puked into their hands and threw it on the floor. This conversation isn’t about my selection in friends, so we’re moving past that. You’re telling me that paying over $500 for a purse (well, really over $30) makes sense when you may be drenching it in pee? That’s effing stupid.

And not only do our purses get dirty on the outside, but on the inside…oh dear lord. Well actually, most women probably don’t make quite as much of a mess as me, but I utilize my purse as a wod bag. While most women carry there make up, sunglasses, and Blackberry, I carry my PurePharma fish oil, my AgainFaster rope, my protein powder, shaker bottle, multiple headbands, 4 forks, usually some kind of container of meat, and Artisana coconut butter packets. Real lady like. Ok ok, I do have a wallet as well as a cherry chapstick in there, but that’s really to just make people think I have a least a few feminine qualities. It didn’t fool Jake when he looked in there at the gym, though. The guys I wod with can’t be fooled. They know I’m a dude.

So what do I do to thank them for appreciation my masculinity?! Make them chili. That’s a given, don’t you think? And chili with bacon in it just makes even more sense. It’s so weird chili has a name. All it really is is a bunch of crap all cooked up a big pot. Or saucepan like me. I don’t have a pot. Stupid.

Look at this fun little video from Again Faster.

Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Print

Smoky Bacon Chili

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 62 reviews

  • Yield: 4-5 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 23 sweet potatoes (optional)
  • 6 slices of bacon, cubed
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 (14) ounce can of fire roasted tomatoes
  • 1 (8) ounce can of tomato sauce
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

This really ain’t that hard people. Check this out. I served my chili over sweet potatoes because I think I’m cool like that. So do it.

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Poke holes in your sweet potatoes with a fork. Place on rack in oven and cook for about 30 minutes or until potato is soft and cooked through.
  2. Now pull out a large pot, add the cubed bacon and let cook down.
  3. While the bacon is cooking, chop all the veggies.
  4. When the bacon has browned and is a bit crisp, add garlic clove and veggies.
  5. Let cook for about 6 or so minutes, then add your ground beef and all the spices.
  6. Once the beef is browned, add your tomato sauce and fire roasted tomatoes.
  7. Mix well and let all the flavors meld together while cooking on low for the next 8 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.
  8. Then split open your sweet potato, pour your chili over it, and eat. Delicious

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

You May Also Like:

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

137 Comments

  1. Leticia says:

    Excellent Chili!!! I made one modification that is definitely worth trying. I put in a half lb. of ground beef and a half lb. of chorizo. Man, it was fabulous!!!

  2. Winnie says:

    Made this last night and it was delicious! Easy and made plenty. Had it for lunch today and it was even better. I am new to Paleo and lost 17.5 lbs so far and feel fab. Glad I found you!






  3. Ben says:

    Really really good recipe and easy to make. Next time i might drain some of the bacon fat before adding the vegs.






  4. Lori says:

    Hey there, this recipe intrigues me and I’m encouraged by all the positive comments. I’m looking for a chili recipe to make for a church chili cook off and thought I’d look for something with bacon. However, we’re to bring our chili in a crock pot. I can convert the recipe for that…I’m wondering about the sweet potatoes. What would you think of cubing them and putting them in with the chili? Or on the bottom of the pot? Oh, and thanks for a recipe with no beans! I’m not a fan of beans, so I’m always happy to find chili without them. Can’t wait to try the recipe!

    1. juli says:

      i think sweet potatoes would be great! i would put them in first before the meat to help them cook through all the way

  5. Lori says:

    THX! I’ll be back to let ya know how it turned out!

  6. Eileen says:

    Just looking for a good chili recipe and as always, I look here first. Found one! I have to admit, I don’t always read your blog posts, but happened to read this and it is so funny AND very true! Feel the same way…give me a bag from Target or H&M and I’m fine with it. Although your bag choices and price point may have changed since 2011 with your success!;)
    Congrats on all of the exciting things in your life recently. I love following on fb and IG!

  7. Kyla says:

    About four years late, I’m just finding/trying this recipe.

    SO GOOD! I’ve been on an “OMG, That’s Paleo?” cookbook kick and this was so dang easy and so yummy/hearty.

    I think next time I’ll top it with some avocado to get that sour cream-esque feel.

    Thanks so much for being awesome at what you do!






  8. Peter Dove says:

    Spot on the money with what Kyla above said, this is a cracking recipe, and it’s like bacon and chilli combo “where have you been all my life?!” I’m going to make this for my mum next time, and I’ll be using Peter’s suggestion of the sweet potato chili fries, that sounds devine!!

    Thanks for the video too, makes it super braindead easy!!






  9. Bailey says:

    This is the best recipe of my FUCKING LIFE Juli. For real. Like, this one pot thing makes my day.






    1. juli says:

      wooooohooooo!! glad you loved it!!

  10. Will says:

    So we discovered this recipe about a year ago, ate it several times through out the winter, and loved it! Then yesterday, my wife decided to make it again…but she couldn’t find it! She was relieved to see that it was still available. With it getting cool again, this will definitely become another winter staple in our house! Thanks again for the awesome recipe!






    1. juli says:

      hahaha these recipes definitely aren’t going anywhere!