••••BASIC CHILI🥩🥘🍅🍚🌰🌶🥑🧀🍶🍨🥫!!••••

(Source: budgetbytes.com recipe & photos)

••••BASIC CHILI!!

🥘🥩🍅🌰🥘🥩🍅🌰🥘🥩🍅🌰🥘🥩🍅🌰

 Total Cost $10.06 recipe / $1.68 serving

 Prep Time 5 minutes

 Cook Time 30 minutes

 Total Time 35 minutes

 Servings  1 cup each

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Tbsp olive oil $0.32
• 1 yellow onion $0.49
• 2 cloves garlic $0.32
• 1 lb ground beef $4.79
• 15 oz can kidney beans $1.09
• 15 oz can black beans $0.89
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes $0.50
• 6 oz can tomato paste $0.55
• 1 cup water $0.00

CHILI SEASONING

• 1 Tbsp chili powder** $0.30
• 1 tsp ground cumin $0.10
• 1/4 tsp cayenne powder $0.02
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder $0.02
• 1/2 tsp onion powder $0.03
• 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.02
• 1 tsp salt $0.05
• 1/2 tsp Freshly ground pepper$0.03

• INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add both to a large pot with the olive oil and cook over medium heat until they are soft and transparent. Add the ground beef and continue to sauté until the beef is fully browned.
  2. Drain the beans and add them to the pot along with the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, 1 cup water, and all of the ingredients for the chili seasoning. Stir until well combined. Place a lid on the pot and allow it to simmer over a low flame for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally (the flavor gets better the longer it simmers).
     

     

  RECIPE NOTES

  **The chili powder used is a mild blend of dried chilies and other spices. It is not spicy or hot. Click here for an example.

  NOW HOW ABOUT THOSE VARIATIONS?

  PROTEIN:

  • Use half pound ground beef and add an extra can of beans (pinto beans are great) to cut costs
  • Use no beef and add two cans of extra beans for a vegetarian version
  • Mexican chorizo makes a spicy alternative to beef (squeeze the ground meat out of the casing and brown just like the beef)
  • Shredded chicken breast works well and I’ve even used chopped up chicken thighs

  LIQUIDS:

  • Instead of water, use tomato or vegetable juice (like V8 juice)
  • Using dark beer instead of water adds a super earthy flavor
  • Beef broth instead of water gives the chili extra flavor oomph, but you might want to reduce the salt in the chili seasoning

  SPICES:

  • Adding a couple chipotle chiles will give the chili a very spicy and smokey flavor
  • A little smoked paprika (1 tsp) will add smokiness without extra heat
  • Cocoa powder (1/2-1 Tbsp) makes the chili extra rich
  • Cinnamon (1 tsp) plays nicely with the chili peppers

  VEGGIES:

  • Make an extra veggie-licious chili by adding finely diced zucchini and bell pepper
  • Poblano peppers add a really great southwest flavor (sauté with onions and garlic)
  • Jalapeños sautéed with the onions and garlic make for an extra spicy chili
  • Add a cup of frozen corn kernels for flavor, color, and texture
  • Diced sweet potato or butternut squash adds a unique sweet contrast and beautiful color

  TOPPINGS:

  

  • Cheddar or monterrey jack cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Cilantro
  • Corn Chips