Hot Dog Chili (for Chili Dogs)

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef 80/20 preferred
1 1/2 cups water or beef broth plus more as needed
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons tomato paste
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika smoked optional
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar or 2 teaspoons white sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1-2 tablespoons fine yellow cornmeal optional, for extra thickening

Optional:
1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1-2 tablespoons hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder smoky heat

Directions

Add ground beef to a large pot over medium-high heat. Pour in 1 cup of the water/broth. Cook, stirring constantly and breaking the beef up into very fine crumbles with a spoon or potato masher, until no longer pink (6-8 minutes).

Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Add tomato sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and optional heat upgrades (cayenne, hot sauce). Stir until well combined.

Add the remaining 1/2 cup water/broth (or enough to make it loose but not soupy). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and simmer 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add splashes of liquid if it tightens up too much before the flavors meld.

To thicken, sprinkle in 1 tablespoon cornmeal, stir well, simmer 5 minutes. Add another tablespoon if needed.

Mash again at the end, or pulse with an immersion blender 2-3 quick times for extra-smooth chili sauce.

Taste and adjust salt, sweetness, and heat. Serve hot.