Bert's Children's Chili

4 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 3 h Total: 3 h 15 m Beginner
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Bert's Children's Chili
A mild, kid-friendly chili made with ground beef, ground pork, and sweet corn. This simple weeknight recipe slow-simmers with tomato sauce and gentle spices for a comforting bowl the whole family will love.

Ingredients

4 servings
  • 2 onions, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 lbs lean ground beef
  • 1 lb ground pork
  • 1-2 cans tomato paste
  • 4 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
  • 4 cups corn
  • Water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Chili powder to taste
  • Cumin to taste
  • Shredded cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. In a large stockpot, brown the beef and pork, drain and rinse. Return to pot and add the onion and bell pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes or until veggies start wilting.
  2. At that point add the tomato paste and tomato sauce. Stir well and add water until you reach your desired consistency.
  3. Add some salt, pepper and chili powder. Let it cook for a couple of hours and then adjust the seasonings as needed.
  4. About an hour before the chili is done add the corn and simmer for that last hour. I add a little cumin to taste after turning off the chili. I like to serve this chili with cornbread or corn chips. Enjoy!

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my chili too watery?

A: Start with less water and let it simmer uncovered. You can always add more liquid, but reducing takes much longer. The tomato paste helps thicken, so use 2 cans instead of 1.

Q: Can I make this spicier for adults?

A: Absolutely! Add diced jalapeños with the vegetables, increase the chili powder, or serve hot sauce on the side so each person can adjust their bowl.

Tips and Techniques

Draining and rinsing the browned meat removes extra fat and makes the chili less greasy. If you’re short on time, use a slow cooker—brown the meat first, then add everything except corn and cook on low for 6-8 hours, adding corn in the last hour.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • ground pork: all ground beef (3 lbs total)
  • fresh corn: frozen or canned corn (drained)
  • tomato sauce: crushed tomatoes or diced tomatoes

Equipment Needed

  • Large stockpot or Dutch oven
  • Colander for draining meat