Butcher bella’s Chili
Recipe by Bella Sadlocha, Butcher at Marrow in the Market // Photography by Taylor Higgins
This is hopefully our last cold spell of the season, but the way we look at it, that's just one more reason to make chili before we break out the grills. Our butcher Bella has been making this one for years, and it's the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your rotation. Built around ground beef and bacon (naturally), it's hearty, smoky, and just the right amount of spicy.
The best part? You're already most of the way through your grocery list when you shop our butcher counter.
QUALITY. COMMUNITY. LAND. ANIMAL.
Enjoy!
Details
Yield: 6 to 8 servings Method: Stovetop Total Time: 1 hour Active Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chili
2 lbs Marrow Detroit Provisions Michigan Ground Beef
5 slices bacon, diced into small pieces
1 large white onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can Rotel tomato + chili
3 to 4 cups broth
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp dried ancho chile
2 tbsp smoked paprika
2 tsp cayenne
1.5 tbsp ground cumin
Directions
Cook the bacon. In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the diced bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving just a little of that fat behind.
Build your base. In the same pot, cook the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
Brown the beef. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as you go. Drain off any excess fat.
Add the tomato paste. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Cooking it briefly in the pot deepens the flavor and takes the raw edge off.
Add spices and Rotel. Add the chili powder, ancho chile, smoked paprika, cayenne, and cumin. Add the Rotel and stir everything together to combine.
Add the broth. Pour in 3 cups of broth to start, reserving the fourth cup in case you want to loosen it up as it cooks.
Simmer. Let the chili cook down, stirring occasionally, until it comes together and the flavors meld, about 30 minutes.
Finish with beans and bacon. Add the kidney beans and black beans last. Stir in the reserved bacon. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add the extra cup of broth if you want a looser consistency.
About the Beef
Bella makes this with our Michigan Ground Beef, made with humanely raised meat from Michigan family farmers. Crafted from cuts across the entire animal, it's a unique blend that reflects a chef's respect for all cuts and a butcher's commitment to whole-carcass utilization. It delivers deep, layered flavor and rich texture in every bite.
That foundation makes a real difference in a pot of chili. Pick some up at the butcher counter at any of our locations, or find us at Plum Market and Busch's.
Marrow Detroit Provisions' commitment to providing quality meats comes hand in hand with our commitment to creating a short supply chain. By sourcing regionally and processing locally, we aim to minimize the distance our food travels from farm to plate because we believe it is both better for the environment, and provides an elevated culinary experience. We partner with farmers in the Great Lakes Region whose practices show respect for the land, the environment, and the well-being of their animals. Our goal is to foster stronger connections between producers, consumers, and communities.