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Cozy Budget Chili with Beans

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A simple, budget-friendly chili recipe that is hearty, family-friendly, and perfect for cozy dinners. Uses pantry staples and comes together in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey (lean or regular)
  • 2 cans kidney beans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Salt to taste (start with 1 tsp)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
  • 1 cup water or broth
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions

Instructions

  1. Prepare your ingredients: finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the kidney beans.
  2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the ground meat until no pink remains and it starts to brown slightly. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Push the meat to one side, add chopped onions and cook until translucent. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  4. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir constantly to toast the spices, then mix in tomato paste.
  5. Add diced tomatoes with juices, rinsed beans, and water or broth. Stir to combine.
  6. Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add water if chili becomes too thick.
  7. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or chili powder if needed. Add a pinch of sugar if too acidic.
  8. Serve warm with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or fresh herbs.

Notes

For thicker chili, mash a few beans against the pot side to release starch. Rinsing beans removes excess sodium and prevents overly thick chili. Simmer gently on low heat to avoid burning. Adjust consistency by adding water or simmering uncovered. Garlic is essential for flavor. Vegetarian option: replace meat with extra beans or lentils and use vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili, budget chili, easy chili recipe, family dinner, beans chili, hearty chili, weeknight dinner

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