Yield: 4 Servings | Serving Size: 2 cups

Two bowls containing Chili with a side of bread.

Cost/Serving: $1.96

Ingredients:

1-pound lean ground beef (15% fat or lower)

1 cup chopped onions

2 cloves garlic, diced or crushed

2 cups cooked kidney beans (or canned, rinsed well and drained)

2 (15-ounce) cans unsalted diced tomatoes

2-3 Tablespoons chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Salt, to taste (up to 1/2 teaspoon)

Toppings, as desired

 

Directions: 

  1. In a pot or large saucepan, brown beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into bite-sized pieces. Drain fat.
  2. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
  3. Add kidney beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and salt. Cook 30-60 minutes. Add water as chili cooks if you would like a thinner consistency.
  4. Serve hot, with your favorite chili toppings.

 

Options: 

Use lean ground beef, elk, or venison, or try a vegetarian version with no meat. Or use 1 package of Basic Meat Mix and start with step #2 or #3. Leave out the onions and garlic if the Basic Meat Mix already contains these.

Use any combination of kidney beans, pinto beans, black beans, lentils, etc.

Add 1 cup of vegetables, like frozen corn, chopped zucchini, chopped bell peppers, etc. Add a 15 ounce can of unsalted tomato sauce if you like chili saucier.

If you have made homemade Chili Seasoning Mix, substitute this for the chili powder, cumin, and salt. If the seasoning mix contains salt, leave out additional salt. Red pepper flakes are also an option.

Common chili toppings are shredded cheese, low fat sour cream, tortilla chips, and hot sauce.

The amount of time chili cooks on the stove is variable in recipes. Some people cook theirs for only ten minutes, while others cook for up to 90 minutes.

Chili is often spicier the next day, after flavors have had time to meld.

If you are using cooked meat, you can make a quick chili by mixing meat, tomatoes, beans, and spices and cooking in the microwave for 10 minutes.

 

Nutrition Facts: Servings: 4, Serving Size: 2 cups
Amount per serving: Calories 440, Total Fat 18g, Saturated Fat 7g, Trans Fat 1g, Cholesterol 75mg, Sodium 510mg, Total Carbohydrate 37g, Dietary Fiber 11g, Total Sugars 8g (Incl. 0g Added Sugars), Protein 32g

 

Create Your Own ChiliPrintable Recipe PDF