I’ve tried many, many variations on chili over the years. Super simple chili, chili with a gazillion ingredients, chili with “secret ingredients” like unsweetened cocoa or brewed coffee (both very good, actually). But this chili recipe is the one that’s been floating around on a piece of paper with the title of “THE Chili.” My guy took a bite of his version (with meat) and said, “This is it. You can stop at this one. It’s perfect.”
The bonus is that it’s super-simple to throw together, and takes next to no work to cook.
It bubbles in the Crock Pot all day, simmering to dinnertime perfection. If you’re okay with the vegetarian version, it’s done when you get home. If you want the one dish two ways, just brown the ground beef, simmer some of the chili together with the meat for a bit, and dinner’s ready.
- 2 15-ounce cans chili beans in sauce
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
- 2 15-ounce cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 2 medium green peppers, chopped (about 3 cups chopped)
- 2 medium onions, chopped (about 3 cups chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 20 dashes Tabasco sauce
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- Add all ingredients except the ground beef to the slow-cooker/Crock Pot. Stir. Cook on low for 8 – 10 hours.
- In a medium or large saucepan, brown the ground beef over medium heat with a little salt and pepper for flavor, if you wish. Drain off any fat. Add five cups of the chili to the browned ground beef. Stir, continuing the medium heat, and heat until boiling. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 – 30 minutes.
- Serve with assorted toppings such as sour cream, grated cheddar or jack cheese, fresh cilantro, or chopped green onions.
This sounds DELISH! I need to pick up some fire roasted tomatoes and give this a try~