Best Classic Chili

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Best Classic Chili
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Best Classic Chili

Recipe by SimplyPrettyPlatesCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

7-10

servings
Prep time

15

minutes
Cooking time

45

minutes
Total time

1

hour 

The best classic homemade chili with seasoned ground beef, juicy bell peppers, jalapeño, minced garlic, diced tomatoes, and a mix of kidney beans and chili beans.

Ingredients

  • 3 lb ground beef or ground turkey

  • 1 jalapeño, minced

  • 3 bell peppers, red, yellow, green

  • 3 cloves garlic, fresh minced

  • 2 (15 oz) cans of kidney beans, drain liquid

  • 2 (15 oz) cans of chili beans, keep liquid

  • 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes

  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced

  • 2 (4 oz) cans of diced green chilies

  • 2 limes

  • 1 cup shredded cheese, optional garnish

  • sour cream, optional garnish

  • saltine crackers, optional

  • Seasonings

  • 2 Tbsp salt

  • 1 Tbsp cumin

  • 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder

  • 1/2 Tbsp paprika

  • 1/2 Tbsp fresh ground pepper

Directions

  • Heat up a cast iron pot on medium heat, add a dash of oil and begin caramelizing the onions. After 5 minutes, add the ground beef. Break up the meat and cook until fully brown.
  • Add in the bell peppers, jalapeño, and garlic. Let cook for 10 minutes then add in the beans (drain the kidney bean juice but not the chili bean juice), tomatoes, lime juice, and diced chilies. Add all of your seasonings and mix well.
  • Let simmer for 35 minutes. Give time for the chili to thicken up and the flavors to marry!
  • Garnish with cheese, lime, and some saltines for a crunch, or whatever you prefer, and enjoy!

Notes

  • If using ground beef you can drain the excess fat before continuing to step 2.
White bowl with chili and limes and crackers on the side. Sour cream and cheese are on top of the bowl of chili.

White bowl with chili with crackers and lime slices. A fork is close to the camera with chili on it.

Classic Chili

Chili, a culinary dish that has traversed continents and centuries, embodies a rich tapestry of history and flavor. It is a comfort food to many and a canvas for creativity to others. At its core, chili is a stew that typically combines meat (often beef), chili peppers, tomatoes, beans, onions, and a variety of spices. This dish’s roots can be traced back to the indigenous peoples of the Americas, who had been cultivating chili peppers and living off the land long before the arrival of Europeans.

The quintessential American chili con carne (“chili with meat”) has taken on numerous forms, from the Texas-style that staunchly opposes the inclusion of beans, to more contemporary vegetarian versions that play up the use of diverse beans and textured vegetable proteins. Each variation reflects the preferences and culinary traditions of its creators, making chili a remarkably versatile dish that can accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions and taste profiles.

Chili’s appeal goes beyond its flexibility and rich flavors; it’s a dish that brings people together. Chili cook-offs, a popular American tradition, showcase the communal spirit of chili lovers, where recipes are shared, and friendly competition brings out the best in everyone’s secret concoctions. Whether enjoyed as a hearty meal on a cold day, a communal potluck dish, or a competitive entry, chili remains a beloved staple that resonates with the warmth of shared history and the zest of innovation.

Furthermore, I really hope you try this recipe, please let me know what you think in the comments below! Be sure to check out our Marry Me Chicken recipe for other dinner ideas.

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