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Simple & Easy Classic Chili
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5 from 3 votes

Simple & Easy Classic Chili

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Equipment

  • large sauce pot or dutch oven

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 tbs avocado or olive oil
  • 2 green bell pepper cut into 1/2 inch cubes
  • 1 large red onion chopped
  • 3 garlic clove minced
  • 1 tbs tomato paste
  • 1 lb 85% ground beef or ground turkey
  • 2 1/2 tbs chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tbs ground cumin
  • 1/2 tbs smoked paprika
  • 1 tbs garlic powder
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp chili flake/red pepper flake* more if you like it spicy!
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes*
  • 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 15 oz can kidney beans
  • 1/2-1 cup beef broth depending on how thin you like it
  • 1 tbs salt

Instructions

  • Prep & Cook Veggies: First chop pepper, onion & mince your garlic cloves. In a large sauce pot or dutch oven, warm the olive oil on medium heat. Add chopped onion with a pinch of salt & cook about 5 minutes until beginning to soften. Add green pepper and cook another 5 minutes. Next add minced garlic and cook about 1 minute (until fragrant & a little golden). Lower heat if things are browning too quickly. Add tomato paste and mix until everything is coated & smells yummy.
    if things are sticking to the pan, add a splash of beef broth to lift things & combine all the spices.
  • Cook Ground Beef: Break up ground beef or turkey & add into the pot. Cook stirring often until ground beef is mostly cooked through. Add spice mix: 2 1/2 tbs chili powder, 1 1/2 tbs ground cumin, 1tsp oregano, 1/2 tbs smoked paprika, 1 tbs garlic powder, 1/4 tsp chili flake*, 1/4 tsp black pepper. 3 tsps kosher salt. Stir until well combined.
  • Add Liquid: Next add whole peeled tomatoes. Crush with your hands or a wood spoon. Fill the emptied can with 1/2 cup water and swirl around to clean out can. Add to pot. Add kidney beans & beef broth. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 25-30 minutes*, stirring occasionally. Taste & adjust seasonings to your liking. If it is very tangy/acidic, add 1-1.5tbs sugar.
  • Serve warm with shredded cheddar, sour cream & green onion. (extra sour cream for me!!)

Notes

Home Cook's Notes: 
*Spices: you can replace the homemade spice mix with your favorite chili spice mix if for a short cut! 
*Canned Whole Peeled Tomatoes: You can also used crushed or diced tomatoes, but I love the rustic/uneven chunks of whole peeled. 
*Ground Beef: ground turkey, ground chicken: all work perfectly as meat options. I almost always choose grass-fed ground beef
*Extra Spicy?  you can add more chili flake or cayenne (start 1/4tsp cayenne).