Easy Chili
Ingredients
15
servings
- 5 pounds ground beef
- 1 tbsp McCormick Season All or Cajun Spice
- 1/4 cup oil for browning
- 1 package Cajun Trinity or 2 medium chopped onions, 1 stalk celery and 1 medium bell pepper
- 3 large 15oz cans Hunts Tomato Sauce
- 6 ounces Tex-Joy Chili Powder
- 2 cans Pinto Beans optional
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Sprinkle and season to taste the ground beef with McCormick Season All.
- Brown the ground beef in oil over medium-high heat until no longer pink, about 10-12 minutes; set aside. Add the trinity (onions, celery, and bell pepper) to the pot and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Combine the meat and sautéed trinity and cook until all is golden brown, about 5 minutes more.
- Sprinkle the Tex-Joy Chili Powder over the meat; it will turn a dark red. Stir well to combine. Add the tomato sauce and cook over medium heat for one hour, stirring occasionally. If using beans, add and cook an additional fifteen minutes.
- Crock-pot method: In a separate pan brown ground beef in oil and lightly sauté the onion, bell pepper and celery. Place in crock-pot; add the tomato sauce and chili powder and cook on low for 4 hours. Add beans in last 10 minutes of cooking.
Common Problems and Solutions
Q: Can I make this chili less thick?
A: Yes, add water or beef broth as needed if the chili becomes too thick during cooking. Start with 1/2 cup at a time and stir well.
Q: Can I use ground venison instead of beef?
A: Absolutely! Ground venison works wonderfully in this recipe. You may want to add a bit more oil since venison is leaner than beef.
Q: Do I need to drain the ground beef after browning?
A: If your ground beef is very fatty (above 20% fat), you may want to drain some of the excess fat before adding the trinity. For leaner beef, it's not necessary.
Tips and Techniques
For deeper flavor, let the chili powder toast with the meat for a minute or two before adding the tomato sauce. This blooms the spices and intensifies the chili flavor. The chili tastes even better the next day, so it’s perfect for making ahead.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Tex-Joy Chili Powder: Any quality chili powder blend
- ground beef: ground venison, ground turkey, or a combination
- Hunts Tomato Sauce: Any brand of tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- fresh trinity vegetables: frozen trinity mix or dried minced onion and bell pepper
Equipment Needed
- Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
- Wooden spoon for stirring
- Crock-pot or slow cooker (for slow cooker method)
