Posted on Leave a comment

Traditional and Easy Beef Chili

This beef and bean chili gets better the longer it simmers and it is even better the next day, but if you are in a pinch it could be ready in as little as 45 minutes of stewing. It goes great served with rice or fresh homemade cornbread. I also love an excuse to use my homegrown green peppers, hot peppers and green onion.

I just found out I am borderline anemic, which is no surprise because probably about 50% of pregnant women are low in iron stores. So inevitably I have to go on iron supplements. But I am really hoping that I can put a little more effort into consciously increasing iron in my diet so I can reduce the amount of iron supplements, and thus those pesky side effects. (Yeah that one, the one that increased fiber helps with).

So, I bought some beef, rounded up some beans and made a big pot of chili. The heme iron from the beef and the non-heme iron from the beans will both have enhanced absorption from the vitamin C in the tomatoes. Just make sure not to put too much cheese on there because calcium inhibits iron absorption.

In a perfect world I would throw lots more veggies in here, green beans and kale and carrots and and and! But my husband would not tolerate such an nontraditional chili so — that’s why this one is simply called Traditional and Easy Beef Chili. Made with many ingredients you are likely to have on hand. Enjoy!

Traditional and Easy Beef Chili

This is a easy, traditional beef chili recipe sure to please any beef and bean lover.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground beef grass-fed
  • 1 medium onion chopped
  • 4 tbsp chopped garlic
  • ~14 oz can diced tomatoes
  • ~14 oz can pureed tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth or chicken, or veggie, whatever you have
  • 3 tbsp chili powder mix
  • 1 medium green onion
  • 2 cans kidney beans rinsed!, or black or pinto beans, or mixture
  • 1 small hot pepper or a few dashes of cayenne, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper, optional of course!
  • 1 large green pepper chopped
  • 2 tsp salt or more to taste, start with 1 1/2 and taste
  • 1/2 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • Brown beef, onion, garlic and 1 tbsp chili powder until beef is cooked through
  • Drain fat if there is excess
  • Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil
  • Turn to low-med heat and simmer 1-1½ hours stiring occasionally to make sure nothing sticks to bottom.
  • Season with salt and pepper and serve hot over rice with sour cream, green onion, cheese and avocado!
Keyword Beans, Big Island Beef
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!