Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili Recipe

Introduction

This Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili is a vibrant twist on a classic comfort food. Infused with fresh Florida orange juice and zest, it brings a subtle citrus brightness that perfectly balances the smoky and spicy flavors for a deliciously hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups Florida Orange Juice
• 4 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup onion, diced
• 2 tbsp. jalapeño, seeded and diced
• 2 tbsp. chopped garlic
• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 (20 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp. fresh oregano
• 1 tsp. chipotle peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 tsp. finely ground cornmeal
• 1 tsp. Florida Orange zest, chopped
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the ground beef, then season with salt and pepper.
2. Step 2: Brown the meat until cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: Place the cooked ground beef into a large slow cooker. Add Florida orange juice, the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, red and green bell peppers, onion, jalapeño, garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, oregano, chipotle peppers, cornmeal, and Florida orange zest.
4. Step 4: Stir to combine all ingredients well. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low to medium heat for at least 3 hours to develop rich flavors.
5. Step 5: When ready to serve, top the chili with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Tips & Variations

• Add extra heat by including more jalapeños or a dash of cayenne pepper.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based crumbles.
• Serve alongside our Florida Orange Jalapeño Cornbread to complement the flavors.
• Use freshly squeezed Florida orange juice for the brightest citrus flavor.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through. This chili also freezes well—freeze in portions for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh oranges instead of Florida orange juice?

Yes, fresh squeezed orange juice works wonderfully in this recipe and offers a fresh citrus flavor. Just be sure to strain out any seeds or pulp if you prefer a smoother chili.

What can I use instead of chipotle peppers?

If chipotle peppers are not available, smoked paprika or a small amount of hot smoked chili powder can provide a similar smoky heat to the chili.

Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 142 reviews

This hearty Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili combines the zesty sweetness of fresh Florida orange juice with robust spices and tender ground beef, slow-cooked to perfection for a rich and flavorful meal perfect for cozy gatherings.

• Author: Ella
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Entree
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups Florida Orange Juice
• 4 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• 1 ½ lbs. ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup green bell pepper, chopped
• ½ cup onion, diced
• 2 tbsp. jalapeño, seeded and diced
• 2 tbsp. chopped garlic
• 1 (20 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp. fresh oregano
• 1 tsp. chipotle peppers, seeded and chopped
• 1 tsp. finely ground cornmeal
• 1 tsp. Florida Orange zest, chopped

Spices

• 1 tbsp. chili powder
• 1 tbsp. onion powder
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tsp. ground cumin

Toppings

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Brown the Meat: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook the beef, stirring occasionally, until it is browned and cooked through. Remove the meat from the skillet and set aside.
2. Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Place the cooked ground beef into a large slow cooker. Add the Florida orange juice, remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chopped red and green bell peppers, diced onion, seeded and diced jalapeño, chopped garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, fresh oregano, chopped chipotle peppers, ground cornmeal, Florida orange zest, and the canned diced tomatoes.
3. Slow Cook the Chili: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook the chili on medium to low heat setting for at least 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and the ingredients to tenderize thoroughly.
4. Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, serve the chili hot. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream, or your favorite garnishes such as chopped chives or extra jalapeños for added heat.

Notes

• For extra heat, do not remove the seeds from the jalapeños or chipotle peppers.
• Pair this chili with Florida Orange Jalapeño Cornbread for a delicious complement.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated on the stovetop or microwave.
• You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a leaner option.
• If you do not have fresh Florida orange juice, use any high-quality orange juice for a citrusy flavor.

Keywords: Florida Orange Juice, slow cooker chili, ground beef chili, citrus chili, spicy chili, hearty chili, easy slow cooker recipe