Homemade Beef Chilli

Beef chilli is a favorite in our house. Easy to make and super yummy. We often make this for potlucks and having friends over for drinks in the Fall and Winter. 

Beef Chilli

1 cup dried beans (soaked, drained and cooked) (~$0.50)

1 lb extra lean ground beef (~$5)

1 chopped onion (~$0.50 or $3/ bag of 6)

1 chopped fine jalapeño (~$0.25)

1 540 mL can of chilli chopped tomatoes (~$1.50)

1 540 mL can of chopped tomatoes (~$1.50)

1/2 can of tomato paste ($1/ can or $0.50)

1 chopped yellow or green pepper ($1.25)

1 cup of frozen corn ($4/ bag of about 8 cups or $0.50)

Homemade taco seasoning (Start at 1/2 a teaspoon and go up) ($0.50)

Or 1/2 tbsp chilli powder, 1/2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp garlic powder

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Total for 6-8 servings: ~$12 or $2/ serving. 

Directions for beans:

Put beans and 3 cups of water in a large pot. Bring to a boil and let boil 2-3 min. Take off heat and let sit 1-2 hours. 

Drain beans and rinse with cold water. 

Put rinsed beans and another 3 cups of water in the pot. Bring to a boil, simmer 1-2 hours or until beans are soft. 

Alternative directions for beans: 

Put beans and 3 cups of water in a large pot. Bring to a boil and let boil 2-3 min. Take off heat and let sit 1-2 hours. 

Drain beans and rinse with cold water. 

Put rinsed beans and water in crockpot and cook on low overnight. 

Taco seasoning:

4 tbsp chilli powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 tsp oregano

2 tsp cumin

-Mix in a small container and use for tacos, chilli, Mexican meatloaf, etc. 

Directions for chilli:

Put everything in crockpot. Don't drain tomatoes. Stir and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. 

Enjoy with shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro as garnish. 

Try on cooked pasta for a twist. 

Notes:

Omit jalapeño and sub more plain chopped tomatoes for the chilli ones, if you like it more mild. 

If you don't really like chopped tomatoes, sub 8oz of tomato sauce for one can and the tomato paste. 

You can sub 1-2 cans of kidney, black or navy beans for the dried beans. We like more beans than meat for cheaper cost. 

For extra veggies, add in chopped celery, zucchini, spinach or kale. 

Ground turkey can be subbed for beef. 

Add garlic for yummy flavor. D is allergic. 

Can brown beef and onions in a pot and add all other ingredients and cook for 45-60 min on the stove. 

Crockpot beef chilli. We used black turtle beans and white kidney beans. 

Chilli is toddler approved (with sour cream and shredded cheese, of course).