When the weather turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of hearty homestyle chili to warm you up from the inside out. This classic recipe combines ground beef or turkey with a medley of spices and beans to create a rich, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving some comfort food, this chili is sure to hit the spot.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef or turkey
- 2 small green peppers, about 2 cups diced
- 1 small yellow onion, about 1 ½ cups diced
- 2 cans diced tomatoes (15-ounce cans)
- 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 15 ounces water
- 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15-ounce cans)
Spices and Seasonings:
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking soda (optional)
Directions
1. Preparing the Vegetables
Start by dicing the green peppers and yellow onion. In a large dutch oven, sauté the diced peppers and onions over medium heat until they become translucent and begin to caramelize. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes.
2. Adding the Spices
Next, add all of the spices and seasonings except for the baking soda. Cook the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent the spices from burning. This step is crucial as it helps to release the flavors of the spices, creating a more robust chili.
3. Cooking the Meat
Add the ground beef or turkey to the pot. Cook until the meat is just browned, with some pink remaining. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Stir frequently to ensure even cooking and to break up the meat into smaller pieces.
4. Combining the Tomatoes and Simmering
Once the meat is browned, stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for 15 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together and the sauce to thicken slightly.
5. Adding the Beans
After the chili has simmered for 15 minutes, mix in the drained and rinsed kidney beans. Continue to simmer the chili, allowing the beans to heat through and the flavors to combine.
6. Final Touches
If you choose to use the baking soda, add it now. Stir continuously as the mixture will bubble up slightly. This step is optional but can help to neutralize the acidity of the tomatoes, resulting in a smoother chili. Reduce the heat and simmer until the chili has thickened to your desired consistency.
7. Serving
Remove the chili from the heat and serve it hot. This recipe makes about 6 servings, each packed with hearty goodness.
Prep and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cooking Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutritional Information
- Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
- Servings: 6
Enjoy this hearty homestyle chili on a cold day, or make a batch for your next family gathering. It’s easy to prepare and guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Pair it with some cornbread or a side salad for a complete meal. Happy cooking!
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Hearty Homestyle Chili
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Description
This Hearty Homestyle Chili is the quintessential comfort food, brimming with rich, bold flavors and hearty ingredients that make each bite satisfying and delicious. The blend of spices, including chili powder, cumin, and a hint of chipotle, offers a warmth that is perfect for any cold day or cozy evening at home.
Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef or turkey
2 small green peppers, about 2 cups diced
1 small yellow onion, about 1 ½ cups diced
2 cans diced tomatoes (15-ounce cans)
15 ounce can tomato sauce
6 ounce can tomato paste
15 ounces water
2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15-ounce cans)
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
3 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon papapa
1 teaspoon chipotle powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon baking soda (optional)
Instructions
In a large dutch oven, sauté diced peppers and onions until translucent and beginning to caramelize.
Add all seasonings except the baking soda and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
Add the ground meat and cook until just browned, with some pink remaining.
Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for 15 minutes.
Mix in the kidney beans and continue to simmer.
Add the baking soda, stirring continuously as the mixture bubbles, then reduce heat and simmer until thickened.
Remove from heat and serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 350