The Simple Sauce To Add That Instantly Upgrades Canned Chili - Tasting Table

"Infused with ingredients like molasses, onions, garlic, tamarind, and anchovies, Worcestershire adds a complexity of flavor that canned chilis may be lacking. The aromatic, tangy, and slightly sweet notes are great at balancing out salty, one-note flavor profiles. This sauce is widely used in meat marinades, so it will pair wonderfully with classic beef chili, but it also adds a much-needed boost of savoriness to vegetarian versions (though it's important to remember that it contains fish for those following a vegetarian diet). Worcestershire is a very common ingredient in a regionally beloved classic, Cincinnati chili, so it's proven to be a delicious addition."

"All you need to do is stir in two teaspoons to one tablespoon of Worcestershire into your chili as it heats up on the stove, or after microwaving it. The sauce is powerful, so start off with small amounts. If you're preparing a big pot of chili or want a stronger Worcestershire presence, try going up to ¼ cup. You'll be shocked at how your dish suddenly tastes homemade. Worcestershire is also great to use in conjunction with other flavor-boosting ingredients."

Worcestershire sauce enhances canned chili by adding savory, tangy, and slightly sweet complexity derived from ingredients like molasses, tamarind, garlic, and anchovies. The sauce balances salty, one-note flavors and pairs well with beef while boosting savoriness in vegetarian versions, though it contains fish. Small additions—about two teaspoons to one tablespoon stirred in while heating—can transform the flavor; larger batches or stronger presence can use up to ¼ cup. Worcestershire integrates well with other flavor boosters and, when combined with cinnamon, allspice, cloves, oregano, and cumin, helps recreate the characteristic profile of Cincinnati-style chili.

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