Bob's Little-Known, Less-Cared-About Chili

Ingredients

• 1 large yellow onion , chopped
• 0.5 pounds thick-cut bacon , chopped
• 1.5 pounds ground beef
• 3 cloves garlic , chopped
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 cups water
• 3 cans kidney beans , 15.5 ounce
• 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes , 14.5 ounce
• 0.25 cups chili powder
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke flavoring
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce , such as Tabasco

Instructions

1. 1

   Cook onion and bacon together in a large pot over medium heat until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, garlic, and cumin; cook and stir until beef is completely browned, 7 to 10 minutes.

2. 2

   Stir in water, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, chili powder, liquid smoke, salt, black pepper, and hot pepper sauce; bring to a simmer and cook until thick, about 1 hour. Skim excess grease if desired.