
Fall has arrived! In my world, that means it's time for this hearty chili recipe.
I don't know what fall means to you, but for my family, getting outdoors to explore downtown areas of other cities and towns, more hiking, and food fests.
With fall also comes this chili recipe. My kids ask me to make it year-round, but to me, chili is an autumn food. That's when it appeals to me. It's right up there with my Grandma's ground beef stew recipe for perfect fall and winter foods.
This is a thick, hearty chili. If you like a more soupy type, just add 3-4 cups of broth or water. Not only is it hearty, it has just the right blend of spicy and sweet, in my opinion. It does lean on the spicy side, but for the younger kids, we just add sour cream and that tends to balance it out.
I've been making this chili for years because it's a winner with everyone. I'll bet your family will love it, too!
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How to make Chili - Step by Step
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until they start to become soft. Add the green peppers, red peppers, garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables are tender.Pour the beans into a large pot and set to low heat. Stir in the vegetables. Add tomatoes. Add ground beef.
Season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil.
Stir and reduce heat low; simmer, covered, for 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.

Can you freeze chili?
Yes, you can freeze chili. I recommend freezing it in small batches; then you can reheat it at needed.Freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Properly stored, chili will be at it's best quality for 4-6 months. However, it's still safe beyond that time.
How to thaw frozen chili:
Cooked chili that has been thawed in the refrigerator can be kept for an additional 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator before cooking. Chili that was thawed in the microwave or in cold water should be eaten immediately.Once reheated, any remaining should be thrown away.

What to serve with Chili
This one will probably depend on your family, culture, or geographic location. Here in the south, a favorite is cornbread. Of course, there are many good pairings for chili. A few ideas are:
- Cornbread
- Quesadillas
- Nachos
- Loaded potato skins
- Sweet potato or regular fries
- Breadsticks
- Crackers
- Tortilla chips

Vegetarian Chili Option
There are several options for making making this a vegetarian chili.- Simply leave out the beef. VoilĂ ! Vegetarian!
- Replace the beef with 8 oz. of cubed firm tofu.
- Replace the beef with meatless version of beef.

If you're looking for more recipes perfect for fall:
- Buffalo Chicken Nachos- Tex Mex Cheesy Beef and Bean Skillet
- Grandma's Crockpot Ground Beef Stew
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Perfect Hearty Chili Recipe
Yield: 12
prep time: 15 Mcook time: 1 H & 30 Mtotal time: 1 H & 45 M
This Perfect Hearty Chili recipe brings together just the right balance of sweet and spicy. It's a dish everyone loves!
ingredients:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 green bell peppers, seeded and chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef, browned and
- 2(15.5 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
- 2 (15.5 ounce) cans pinto beans, drained
- 2 (15oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 4 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
- 2 1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce
instructions:
How to cook Perfect Hearty Chili Recipe
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions; cook and stir until they start to become soft. Add the green peppers, red peppers, garlic. Cook and stir until vegetables are tender.
- Pour the beans into a large pot and set to low heat. Stir in the vegetables and tomatoes. Add ground beef. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Bring to a boil.
- Stir and reduce heat low; simmer, covered, 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
Calories
312.88
312.88
Fat (grams)
16.87
16.87
Sat. Fat (grams)
3.94
3.94
Carbs (grams)
24.48
24.48
Fiber (grams)
7.31
7.31
Net carbs
17.17
17.17
Sugar (grams)
4.86
4.86
Protein (grams)
17.70
17.70
Sodium (milligrams)
664.44
664.44
Cholesterol (grams)
33.64
33.64
Michelle Cannon/The Heart of Michelle
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