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.
Smoky Bacon Chili
- Yield: 4-5 1x
Ingredients
- 2–3 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.
- 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.
- Now pull out a large pot, add the cubed bacon and let cook down.
- While the bacon is cooking, chop all the veggies.
- When the bacon has browned and is a bit crisp, add garlic clove and veggies.
- Let cook for about 6 or so minutes, then add your ground beef and all the spices.
- Once the beef is browned, add your tomato sauce and fire roasted tomatoes.
- Mix well and let all the flavors meld together while cooking on low for the next 8 minutes or so, stirring occasionally.
- Then split open your sweet potato, pour your chili over it, and eat. Delicious










I made it again tonight. Love it! Love the smoky flavor!
Oh wow! The best chili ever! I have been thinking about it all night. So, so good with the sweet potato! Thanks
Unbelievably good and SO simple to make! Can’t wait to heat up my leftovers! Juli, you rock!!! I’ve now tried a bunch of your recipes and they never disappoint! Thank you for making paleo so easy 🙂
Holy cow! This chili is amazing and so easy to make!!!! My boyfriend told me I hit a home run with this recipe!!!
I’m literally dying at your post right now! I thought I was the only girl who felt that way. Anywho, I can’t wait to make this.
Love this chili! We’ve made it two nights in a row but we also add a jalapeño for extra spice!! Absolutely delicious! One week paleo and going strong! 🙂 thanks for sharing !!!
Juli: I just made your chili and won 3rd place with it at our church chili cook off out of 17 entries. 🙂 Love this recipe. I didn’t have garlic cloves so just used extra garlic and since a lot of people were going to eat this, instead of baking whole sweet potatoes, I cut them into bite size chunks and roasted in the oven w/a little olive oil. Then I put them in a separate bowl so people could put the chili over the potatoes if they wanted to. Thanks. -Betty Ann
Juli: my wife and I just cooked this tonight and good night it was delicious! It had incredible flavor and the perfect amount of heat. This is our first week of Paleo and I appreciate how hearty this meal was. Thanks!
-Zach and Hannah
Athens, Ga
Glad you two liked it!
THIS IS THE BEST CHILI EVER!!!! Seriously. My all time favorite chili. My boyfriend and I made it 5 weekends in a row with enough to last us about 2 extra meals into the week (we meal plan due to our schedules). Weekends are when we try out new recipes or dishes I find. This one is definately here to stay and overruled pretty much all the others for awhile (bacon got pricey)haha. I LOVE it soo much (& all your other recipes). Thank you!! 🙂 You’re amazing!
Instead of eating it out of a sweet potato we just chopped some up and put them into the chili 🙂