The ground beef is quickly browned, then it is combined with a spice mixture, beans, and tomatoes for a quick and easy meal for a busy day. It's also easy on the budget.
Make a pan of cornbread to go with the chili, along with a salad or slaw, or serve it with hot cooked rice and warm tortillas.
If you're making this for a party game day gathering, offer several toppings with the chili and add a bowl of tortilla chips to the menu. The recipe is easily doubled.
What You'll Need
Seasoning Mix
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons dried minced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Chili
1 1/2 pounds ground beef, at least 85% lean
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes with mild green chile peppers*
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 to 16 ounces) black beans, undrained
salt, to taste
shredded cheddar, cheddar-jack, or a Mexican blend of cheeses
Topping Suggestions
sour cream, chopped green onion, chopped red onion, shredded lettuce, cilantro, guacamole, diced tomatoes
How to Make It
In a small bowl or cup, combine the chili powder with the dried minced onion, cumin, oregano, sugar, garlic powder, and the black and cayenne peppers. Blend well and set aside.
In a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef, turning and breaking up with a spatula as it cooks.
Drain the ground beef well. Return the beef to the pan over medium heat. Add the chili seasoning mix and stir to blend.
Add the 2 cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, and undrained black beans. Stir to blend ingredients.
Bring the chili to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes.
Taste and add salt, as needed.
Makes 6 generous servings, and the recipe can be doubled or tripled very easily.
Serve with a Tex-Mex cornbread or classic Southern cornbread, biscuits, crackers, or tortilla chips, along with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings.
*If you don't have diced tomatoes with chile peppers, use regular diced tomatoes and add mild green chile peppers. Or, use about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chunky mild to medium salsa in place of the second can of tomatoes.
