Easy One-Pot Kentucky Beef Chili (With a Secret Ingredient)
Ultimate One-Pot Local Beef Chili: Featuring Mt. Folly Ground Beef
When the weather turns crisp, nothing hits the spot quite like a warm, hearty bowl of chili. But if you want to elevate this classic comfort food from basic to extraordinary, it all comes down to the quality of your ingredients. This easy, one-pot recipe relies on rich, savory local beef and a surprising secret ingredient to build incredible depth of flavor.
Best of all? Sourcing premium, locally raised ingredients is now easier than ever. Mt. Folly 100% pasture-raised ground beef is officially available at select Kroger stores across Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Southern Illinois!
Here is everything you need to know to make the ultimate chili right at home.
Why Local, Regenerative Beef Makes the Best Chili
The foundation of any great chili is the beef. Using Mt. Folly 90/10 Ground Beef provides a robust, meaty base that grocery store commodity beef simply cannot match. Because our cattle are 100% pasture-raised and regeneratively farmed right here in Kentucky, our beef is naturally leaner, richer in flavor, and packed with nutrients.
By picking up Mt. Folly beef during your next Kroger run, you are skipping the middleman, supporting local farm families, and bringing home clean, premium protein.
The Secret Ingredient: Kentucky Mountain Coffee
While spices and tomatoes build the traditional chili profile, this recipe features a secret weapon: extra-strong dark roast coffee. We use Kentucky Mountain Coffee’s Coal Miner's Brew—another certified Kentucky Proud staple. Adding 2 cups enhances the earthy, roasted notes of our local ground beef without making the dish taste like a morning brew. It’s a true Kentucky-grown collaboration in every bowl.
Ingredients You Will Need
This affordable, crowd-pleasing recipe serves 6 to 8 people and is perfect for game-day parties or easy weeknight meal prep.
The Base:
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 lb Mt. Folly 90/10 Ground Beef
- 3 yellow onions, chopped
The Spices:
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp Cayenne pepper
The Hearty Additions:
- 3 cans kidney beans, drained
- 3 cans diced tomatoes, not drained
- 2 cups Kentucky Mountain Coffee (Coal Miner's Brew)—brewed extra strong (we recommend using a French press)
- 3 tsps beef bouillon
- 2 tsp salt
The Toppings:
- Cornchips
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot, add the canola oil and cook the Mt. Folly ground beef over medium-high heat. Break the beef up into small pieces as it cooks.
- Sauté the Onions: Before the beef is completely browned, add the chopped yellow onions and stir.
- Bloom the Spices: Once the onions become slightly transparent, add all of your dried spices (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and Cayenne). Stir the mixture until the spices bloom and become aromatic—this usually takes about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Build the Broth: Add the drained kidney beans, undrained diced tomatoes, extra-strong coffee, beef bouillon, and salt. Mix thoroughly to combine all the ingredients.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1 full hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle the hot chili into bowls and serve with a generous sprinkle of cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, plenty of cornchips for crunch, and a sprinkle of fresh chopped cilantro.
Ready to get cooking? Head to the fresh meat case at your neighborhood Kroger to grab your Mt. Folly ground beef.
📍 [Click here to find a stocked Kroger location near you!]
