Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp honey (optional, balances heat)
- ½ tsp Pepe Boys Carolina Reaper sauce (start here)
- Optional toppings: sour cream, shredded cheese, diced onions, lime
This is a one-pot chili you finish with Reaper sauce the safe way: start small, taste, then add more. Big flavor. Serious heat. Total control.
In West African and Caribbean kitchens, heat is handled with respect. The hottest pepper isn’t used to show off—it’s used with control. You add a little, taste, then add more only if the food asks for it. That’s how you keep the flavor big and the heat honest.
This chili is built the same way. It’s warm, rich, and comforting first. Then you finish it with a careful touch of Pepe Boys Carolina Reaper. The goal isn’t pain. The goal is that deep “whoa” moment that makes everyone look up from the bowl.
1. Cook the Base:
Heat a large pot over medium heat.
Add olive oil and diced onion. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.
Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
2. Brown the Meat:
Add ground meat to the pot.
Cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and fully cooked.
3. Build the Chili:
Add black beans, crushed tomatoes, broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
Stir well.
Bring to a light boil, then reduce heat to low.
Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the Reaper (The Safe Way):
Turn off the heat.
Start with ½ teaspoon of Pepe Boys Carolina Reaper sauce and stir in.
Taste carefully.
If you want more heat, add ¼ teaspoon at a time.
(Do not pour freely—this sauce is serious.)
5. Serve:
Ladle chili into bowls.
Top with sour cream or cheese if desired (it helps cool the heat).
Serve with rice, cornbread, or tortilla chips.
Cooking Time
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Prep time: 10 minutes
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Cooking time: 30 minutes
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Total time: 40 minutes
Servings
This recipe serves approximately 4–5 people.
📊 Quick Stat
Carolina Reaper peppers can reach 2.2 million Scoville units, while many “hot” peppers are under 350,000—that’s why this sauce is 🔥 not for beginners and why we recommend adding it after cooking.
