Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili Recipe

Introduction

This Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili brings a bright citrus twist to a classic comfort dish. The natural sweetness of the orange juice balances the heat from jalapeños and chipotle peppers, creating a flavorful and hearty chili perfect for any occasion.

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. Season with salt and pepper, then cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
2. Step 2: 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, fresh oregano, diced tomatoes, chipotle peppers, cornmeal, and Florida Orange zest. Stir everything together well.
3. Step 3: Cover and cook on medium to low heat for at least 3 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and develop.
4. Step 4: When ready to serve, top the chili with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy warm with your favorite sides.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, leave seeds in the jalapeños or add more chipotle peppers.
• Try topping the chili with fresh chives, diced avocado, or crushed tortilla chips for added texture.
• Serve alongside Florida Orange Jalapeño Cornbread for a perfect pairing.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version of this chili.

Storage

Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally. This chili also freezes well; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this chili on the stovetop instead of a slow cooker?

Yes, you can combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer on low heat for 1 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and the chili thickens.

What can I do if I don’t have Florida Orange Juice?

You can substitute with fresh orange juice or a high-quality store-bought orange juice. Avoid using juices with added sugars or flavors for the best taste.

Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 72 reviews

This Florida Orange Juice Slow Cooked Chili combines the zesty sweetness of Florida orange juice with bold spices and hearty ground beef, simmered to perfection in a slow cooker. The chili is enhanced by bell peppers, jalapeños, and a hint of chipotle for a smokey kick, making it a unique twist on a classic comfort food. Finished with cheddar cheese and sour cream, it’s an inviting and flavorful dish perfect for cozy gatherings or weeknight dinners.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours
• Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• 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 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

Toppings

• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Brown the Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Remove the beef from the skillet and set aside.
2. Prepare the Chili Base: In a large slow cooker, combine the cooked ground beef, Florida Orange Juice, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, red and green bell peppers, diced onion, jalapeño, chopped garlic, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, diced tomatoes, fresh oregano, chopped chipotle peppers, ground cornmeal, and Florida Orange zest. Stir everything well to combine.
3. Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chili over medium to low heat for at least 3 hours. This slow cooking melds the flavors beautifully and tenderizes the peppers and beef.
4. Serve and Garnish: Once cooked, ladle the chili into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese and sour cream. You can also add additional toppings such as chives or your favorite chili garnishes for extra flavor and texture.

Notes

• For a spicier chili, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add extra chipotle peppers.
• Pair this chili with Florida Orange Jalapeño Cornbread for a delicious complementary side.
• Slow cooking allows the flavors to develop deeply; if time allows, cook for longer than 3 hours for enhanced taste.
• Ground cornmeal in the recipe thickens the chili slightly and adds a subtle texture.
• Can be made in advance and refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat gently before serving.

Keywords: chili recipe, slow cooker chili, orange juice chili, Florida orange chili, ground beef chili, hearty chili, spicy chili, comfort food