Spicy Chili Recipe for Winter Days

We just got home from a long weekend enjoying the fall colors in Northern Minnesota. It was amazing and gorgeous, but BRR was it cold! And it was rainy and dreary when we got home, so one of those humid colds that sinks deep no matter what you do…

The solution? Make some of my step-dad’s famous chili! He’s from Oklahoma, so expect some spice and no kidney beans (he’s very strict about the kidney beans thing), but it works to warm every time! The perfect amount of heat to warm the insides (and heart) but not too much that you’re hurting.

Not to mention, it’s a great meal for after a trip- quick and easy. It simmers while you unpack! Here’s how.

Chili Recipe

Chop up onions, garlic (minced) and jalapeños (if desired) and throw them into a pot with a Tbsp. of butter to help them cook down.

Then add the ground beef. Cook it until it’s completely browned and drain the grease.

I should note that I frequently use ground venison in this recipe as well. If you don’t like the gamey flavor of venison the spices in this dish help you lose that “gamey” flavor, so this is a great time to use it.

Now the easy part: Add everything else – Tomatoes, tomato sauce, pinto beans, onion powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, cumin, red pepper and cayenne. Stir together and allow to simmer for 30 min. Stirring every once in a while; between unpacking, of course.

Then top with cilantro, sour cream and shredded cheese. Frito chips are also a delicious addition.

Now onto the recipe:

Print Recipe

Spicy Chili

The meal that warms you from the inside out!

Cuisine

Soup

Servings

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 1 Onion chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic minced
• 1 Jalapeños seeds removed, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 Qt. Tomatoes (about 1 lb.)
• 1 can Tomato Sauce
• 1 to 2 cans Pinto Beans
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• 2 Tbsp. Chili Powder
• 1 tsp. Dried Oregano
• 1 tsp. Salt more to taste
• 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
• 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper
• 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional)
• Cilantro leaves to taste (optional)
• Shredded Cheddar to taste (optional)
• Sour Cream to taste (optional)

Cuisine Soup Servings Ingredients 2 lbs Ground Beef 1 Onion chopped 2 cloves Garlic minced 1 Jalapeños seeds removed, finely chopped (optional) 1 Qt. Tomatoes (about 1 lb.) 1 can Tomato Sauce 1 to 2 cans Pinto Beans 1 tsp. Onion Powder 2 Tbsp. Chili Powder 1 tsp. Dried Oregano 1 tsp. Salt more to taste 1 tsp. Ground Cumin 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper (optional) Cilantro leaves to taste (optional) Shredded Cheddar to taste (optional) Sour Cream to taste (optional)

Instructions

1. Add the onions, garlic and jalapeno (if desired) to a large pot on medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp. of butter to start cooking them. Cook for 1 minute and then add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any grease.
2. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce and pinto beans to mix and stir. Allow to warm then add spices; onion powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, cumin, red pepper and cayenne. Stir.
3. Simmer chili for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Feel free to add more of any spice to suit your tastes.
4. Serve with cilantro, sour cream and cheese on top for the perfect meal!

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