When you are cooking chili, the tomato sauce can be very acidic. This can cause heartburn and discomfort.
Thankfully, there are a few simple things you can do to reduce the acidity of your chili without changing its flavor. Using these tips, you can make your favorite chili recipe healthier and heartburn-free!
1. Reduce the amount of vinegar
If you’ve made a recipe for chili that you love but find it too acidic, there are several ways to reduce the vinegar without altering the taste of the dish. These tips are quick and easy, so you can make a low acid chili that you can enjoy again and again!
Vinegar is a naturally occurring ingredient in a variety of foods, from salad dressings to pickled vegetables. It adds a bright and lively touch to many dishes, but can also overpower other flavors in the dish if used too much.
To counteract the strong, sour flavor of vinegar, add a pinch of baking soda at a time and stir to neutralize it chemically. Repeat, tasting the dish after each addition, until you’ve tempered the vinegar to a level that is balanced.
Another way to moderate the sourness of a dish is by adding small amounts of sugar, which softens the sharpness of acids and balances their flavors. A teaspoon of sugar can help moderate the sourness in a tomatoey sauce like chili, as can a splash of butter or cheese, which contain Casein, a molecule that helps absorb acid.
To lower the acidity of a chili, consider using a sweeter type of chili powder, such as ancho or guajillo, instead of hot peppers. This will still provide a spicy kick, but won’t be as harsh or as hot.
2. Reduce the amount of garlic
If you’re making a low acid chili recipe that’s a little too garlic-y, there are a few things that you can do to reduce the amount of garlic. First, you can add a bit of sugar or brown sugar.
This will help to balance the flavors of the dish. However, you should be careful not to add too much. You want to give it a chance to settle into the flavor of the chili.
Another way to reduce the amount of garlic in a recipe is to use other aromatic herbs like parsley and cilantro. These are mild and can be used to counteract the strong flavor of garlic without changing the taste of the dish.
Alternatively, you can replace some of the garlic with fresh chili peppers. Jalapeno peppers, chipotle peppers, and ancho peppers are all great options.
You can also try reducing the amount of tomato paste. Tomato paste is quite acidic and can easily overpower the rest of the ingredients in a chili recipe.
Adding salt can also help to balance the flavors of a dish. Too much salt can be harsh, so it’s important to test the recipe before you start adding it.
3. Add a little baking soda
If you’re making a low acid chili recipe, adding a little baking soda can help reduce the acidity. Typically, you want to add just a teaspoon at the beginning. Once the bubbling subsides, you can taste and adjust if needed.
Baking soda works by releasing tiny bubbles of carbon dioxide when it’s combined with an acid, such as vinegar or lemon juice. This causes the mixture to rise and gives baked goods their fluffy texture.
In addition to a variety of other useful uses, baking soda is also known for its natural cleaning properties. Sprinkle a small amount of it into boiling water to prevent cauliflower and corn from yellowing, or use a bit to make chicken skin extra crispy.
It also works wonders in thickening soups and sauces. A small amount can make even the simplest tomato sauce or salad dressing less acidic.
You can even add a pinch of baking soda to beans before cooking them to soften them and make them cook faster.
Using fresh peppers instead of vinegary hot sauce can also help reduce the acidity of your chili. However, you should be careful not to overdo this method because it may leave you with a soapy flavor.
Another easy way to lower the acidity of a dish is to bulk it up with nonacidic ingredients, such as beef or vegetables. This allows alternative flavors to predominate and neutralize the acid. Some people also like to add casein, a chemical found in dairy products that acts as a buffer and allows the digestion of acidic substances.
4. Add a little sugar
Adding a little sugar is one of the easiest ways to balance out the acidity in a chili recipe. This works great if the tomatoes, peppers or onions are too acidic, but it’s also helpful if the chili has been too salty.
To add sugar to a low acid chili recipe, simply add a few tablespoons of brown sugar when you are making the chili. This will help reduce the acidity and make the dish a lot more enjoyable.
Another way to add a little sweetness is to use dark chocolate. The cocoa in chocolate helps to balance out the acidity of tomatoes or peppers. This will give you a deep and delicious chili that’s more savory and satisfying.
If you are trying to balance out the acidity in your chili, then you should try a few different things to find what works best for you. Adding a dash of lemon or lime juice may be enough to neutralize the acidity in your chili.
You can also try adding a tablespoon of vinegar to your chili recipe. This will mellow out the flavor of the tomatoes, onions or peppers and make it a lot more savory.
Adding sugar to your chili recipe will also help it to thicken and add a sweeter, more rounded flavor. This is especially useful if the chili is too spicy and you want to tone down the heat.
5. Add a little tomato paste
A little tomato paste is a flavorful addition to any chili recipe. It’s easy to add to a pot of beef stew or chili and doesn’t water down the dish.
Tomato paste is made from pureed tomatoes that have been strained and concentrated. This results in a thicker and richer sauce than other canned tomatoes, making it perfect for chili, soups, and stews.
To maximize the flavor potential, try adding it to the dish early on in the cooking process. Stir in a tablespoon or two of tomato paste to the stew, along with aromatics like onions and garlic. This allows the paste to cook down and caramelize, making it more flavorful.
This also helps to eliminate the tinny tomato paste I-came-from-a-can-or-tube flavor that can overpower some dishes. Saute the paste in a bit of fat for about 30 seconds to a few minutes, stirring frequently.
Alternatively, you can bake it in the oven for 40-50 minutes until it’s thick and golden. This method can make the paste even more tangy and is a great way to store it in your refrigerator.
A final tip to help minimize the acidity of your chili is to use a lower-acid variety of tomato. The best are the San Marzano tomatoes, which are available in certified cans. They’re typically a little more expensive than other varieties but have a fantastic flavor.
6. Add a little water
When you have a low acid chili recipe, adding a little water can help mellow out the flavors. The water will allow the ingredients to mix and mingle a bit and can also help to thicken up the sauce.
The liquid will make the chili sauce a little more soupy than stew-like, but you can easily thin it out with additional broth and water. You can add a little water during the cooking process, or you can add it at the end of the recipe when serving.
Aside from adding extra water, there are a few other ways to reduce the acidity in your chili. One way is to cook the chili for a longer period of time. The longer the chili cooks, the more time for the flavors to interact. This allows alternative flavors to overtake the acidity, making it more balanced and delicious.
Another option is to add some dairy products. Dairy foods contain a protein called casein, which can help to absorb the excess acidity in your chili. Popular sources of dairy include sour cream, Greek yogurt, creme fraiche, and cheese.
Another way to add moisture to your low acid chili is to use a lot of vegetables. Veggies like tomatoes, peppers, and onions will help to balance out the acidity in the chili sauce. They will also give it some added texture and color.