Brown the beef in a large pot or Dutch oven. Drain beef.
Add the spices (with the exception of the masa) and stir in thoroughly. Add tomato sauce and water. If desired add 1 (14 ounce) can of beans. Reduce temperature to simmer.
Simmer for about 30 minutes. If you want to thicken the chili, mix the masa in a 1/4 cup of hot water. Stir the masa until smooth. Pour the masa mixture into the chili. Cook until the chili thickens and serve.
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Recipe Tips
🌶️ Control Your Heat: Start with half the cayenne pepper and taste as you go - you can always add more heat, but you can't take it away! The beauty of homemade 2-Alarm Chili is customizing the spice level to your preference.🌽 Master the Masa: If using masa harina for thickening, always mix it with hot water first to create a smooth paste before adding to your chili. This prevents lumps and ensures even distribution. No masa? Crushed corn chips or cornstarch work too!🥘 Perfect Your Prep: Pre-measure and combine all your spices before starting to cook - just like the original Wick Fowler kit. This makes cooking smoother and ensures you don't forget any seasonings in the heat of the moment.