Name: Back Bay Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 200 min
Ingredients: 1 quart (4 cups) water; 2 pounds lean ground beef ((5% fat)); 2 large onions, (chopped); One 16-ounce can tomato paste; 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar; 1 tablespoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 medium garlic clove, (minced); ½ teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper; ½ teaspoons ground allspice; 3 whole bay leaves; shredded cheese and sour cream for serving, (if desired)

Super Bowl, chilly days, any day – these are all good reasons to eat this Back Bay Chili:

bowl of back bay chili with sour cream and crackers

Back Bay Chili

Chili is comfort food to the max, and this back bay chili is no exception. The recipe makes a “true” chili: no beans! It really is a hearty meal. This chili is good served with cornbread or served on its own with your favorite toppings.

ingredients displayed for making back bay chili

🛒Ingredients needed:

water (or chicken broth)
lean ground beef
yellow onion
tomato paste
apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper
ground cumin and cinnamon
Worcestershire sauce
garlic
cayenne pepper, allspice, and bay leaves
chili toppings, as desired

pot of sauteing veggies

✏️How to make Back Bay Chili:

*The complete, printable recipe with all ingredients and instructions is at the end of this post.

In a large pot or slow cooker, crumble the beef into the water. Add all of the other ingredients, and mix well to combine. Bring to a boil, then simmer for about 3 hours. (If you’re using a slow cooker, cook on high for the 1st hour, then on low for 2 to 3 additional hours.)
Remove the bay leaves.

pot of chili

Serve in bowls or mugs garnished with your favorite toppings, if desired. You’ll end up with a meaty chili that has a lot of different spicy flavors. Enjoy!

What are the best toppings for chili?

sour cream
lime wedges
crumbled corn or tortilla chips
jalapeño peppers
chopped fresh cilantro
oyster crackers
shredded cheese
olives
avocado

bowl of back bay chili

➡️Recipe Tips:

Not a fan of beef? Try ground turkey instead. The bounty of spices will make any ground meat delicious.
Let everyone do it “their way.” Set up a self-serve station with all kinds of delicious chili toppings.
If you are preparing this recipe as GLUTEN-FREE, just be sure to use a brand of Worcestershire sauce that is known to be GF.
The recipe itself is DAIRY-FREE, but those avoiding dairy will need leave off the cheese and sour cream toppings.

✔️What to serve with Back Bay Chili:

A beautiful green salad is always nice with a warm bowl of chili. Triple Berry Salad with Sugared Almonds is always a crowd pleaser.
I make chili for dinner often with my Green Chile Cornbread or my Sweet Cornbread. There’s nothing like a good chili and cornbread combination!

bowl of chili with sour cream and crackers

★How to Store:

Leftover chili can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. It also freezes well because it has no beans (which tend to break down). Freezing will save you on a busy day with no time for cooking.

❤️Why I love this recipe:

Back Bay Chili is so easy to make and perfect for a cold winter day.
Its lack of beans makes it a truly a pleasant change from typical chili recipes.
The many spices add just the right amount of kick!