Appetizers
Chili Cheese Fries
Description
Game day get-togethers mean Chili Cheese Fries are on the menu! Crispy fries are topped with homemade beef chili, melty cheese, and all your favorite toppings. Dig in!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus additional as needed
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion diced, about 1 cup
- 1 medium bell pepper diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¾ cup beer or additional beef broth
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth plus a few splashes if needed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans rinsed and drained
- 1 (28-ounce) bag frozen French fries I used Alexia brand
- Toppings
- Shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Pickled Jalapeños or swap storebought
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt thinned with 1-2 teaspoons water
- Green onions thinly sliced
- Cilantro chopped
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the beef in a single block and cook, undisturbed, until browned on the bottom. Flip and brown on the other side. Break the beef into 4 large chunks and continue to cook for 1 to 2 more minutes, until well browned, then start to break it up into small crumbles. Before the beef is fully cooked (there will still be some pink), transfer it to a plate, leaving any drippings in the pot.
- If the pot is dry, add another drizzle of olive oil. Return the pot to medium heat and add the onion and bell pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the beer and bring to a simmer, scraping any browned bits off the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes, until the liquid is reduced.
- Return the beef and any juices that have collected to the pot, along with the tomatoes, broth, and beans. Bring to a simmer, partially cover, and simmer over low heat for at least 10 minutes to develop the flavors, stirring occasionally (you can go up to 1 hour for the max-effect chili flavor!). If the liquid evaporates too much, add another splash of broth and cover the pot.
- Prepare the fries according to package instructions.
- Transfer the crispy fries to a serving platter and top with the chili. Garnish with shredded cheese, scallions, cilantro, jalapenos, and thinned sour cream. Serve immediately.
