Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili Recipe

Introduction

This Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili offers a bright twist on a classic comfort food. Infused with the sweet citrus flavor of Florida oranges and a hint of smoky chipotle, it’s a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for any cozy meal.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups Florida Orange Juice
• 4 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup onion, diced
• 2 tbsp. jalapeño, seeded and diced
• 2 tbsp. chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 (20 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp. fresh oregano
• 1 tsp. chipotle peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 tsp. finely ground cornmeal
• 1 tsp. Florida Orange zest, chopped
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and ground beef, then season with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: Brown the meat until cooked through, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Place the cooked ground beef in a large slow cooker. Add Florida Orange Juice, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, red and green bell peppers, onion, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, chipotle peppers, cornmeal, and Florida Orange zest.
4. Step 4: Cover and cook over medium to low heat for at least 3 hours to let the flavors meld together.
5. Step 5: When ready to serve, top the chili with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Tips & Variations

• For added depth, consider substituting ground beef with a mix of beef and pork or use turkey for a leaner option.
• Add a handful of black beans or kidney beans for more texture and protein.
• Adjust the amount of jalapeño and chipotle peppers to suit your preferred heat level.
• Serve alongside Florida Orange Jalapeño Cornbread for a complementary pairing.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. To freeze, portion the chili into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular orange juice instead of Florida Orange Juice?

Yes, you can substitute any fresh or store-bought orange juice, but using Florida Orange Juice provides a fresher, more vibrant citrus flavor that enhances the chili.

Is this chili spicy?

This chili has a mild to medium heat level thanks to the jalapeño and chipotle peppers. You can reduce or omit these ingredients if you prefer a milder dish.

Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 81 reviews

This Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili combines the vibrant citrus flavor of fresh Florida orange juice with hearty ground beef and a blend of aromatic spices, slow-cooked to perfection for a rich, comforting meal. The addition of sweet bell peppers, jalapeño heat, and chipotle peppers creates a flavorful chili that’s both tangy and spicy, topped off with cheddar cheese and sour cream for a creamy finish.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Chili
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups Florida Orange Juice
• 4 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup onion, diced
• 2 tbsp. jalapeño, seeded and diced
• 2 tbsp. chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 (20 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp. fresh oregano
• 1 tsp. chipotle peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 tsp. finely ground cornmeal
• 1 tsp. Florida Orange zest, chopped

Toppings

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Brown the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the ground beef, then season with salt and pepper. Cook the beef until browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Once done, remove the skillet from heat and set the meat aside.
2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the cooked ground beef to a large slow cooker. Add the Florida Orange Juice, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chopped red and green bell peppers, diced onion, jalapeño, chopped garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, diced tomatoes (with juices), fresh oregano, chopped chipotle peppers, finely ground cornmeal, and chopped Florida Orange zest.
3. Slow Cook the Chili: Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on medium to low heat for at least 3 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and flavorful chili.
4. Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, serve the chili hot. Top generously with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Optionally, add chives or other favorite chili toppings. Enjoy with complementary sides like Florida Orange Jalapeño Cornbread.

Notes

• For a spicier chili, leave the jalapeño seeds in or add extra chipotle peppers.
• Using freshly squeezed Florida Orange Juice enhances the citrus flavor better than store-bought juice.
• The cornmeal helps to thicken the chili during the slow cooking process.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure that your chili powder and other spices are certified gluten-free.

Keywords: Florida orange juice chili, slow cooker chili, citrus chili, spicy beef chili, slow cooked chili recipe