I’ve made this recipe for years. The handwritten version can be found in my master binder, complete with scribbled notes and random stains from the canned tomatoes.

And to be honest, I’ve made it so many times I have it committed to memory. I’m always altering it based on what I have on hand (I know, mom, it drives you crazy when I go off of a recipe!).

I was inspired to finally type it up for two of my brothers — the 19-year-old who will be living in his first apartment in the fall and the 29-year-old who has finally embraced cooking more than just grilled meat. Yup, you read that right — there is a ten-year gap — and I’ll reluctantly add that, as the oldest, I make up another ten-year gap (shhh). At least it makes it easy to remember how old we all are!

This recipe makes for great leftovers and freezes well. Sometimes I serve it with cornbread, but most often just load it up with all of my favorite toppings. Enjoy!

Allison’s Easy Chili

6-8 Servings

Ingredients: 

• 2 Tablespoons canola oil

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, chopped fine

• ½-1 lb ground meat (lean beef, chicken, or turkey all work well)

• 2 Tablespoons chili powder

• 3 15oz cans of beans (can use all the same or 3 different varieties), drained

• 1 15oz can corn, drained (or 1 cup of frozen corn, no need to thaw)

• 1 28oz crushed tomatoes, with juice

• Salt & pepper, to taste

• Toppings: sour cream, cheese, avocado, green onions, cilantro, crumbed-up tortilla chips, etc.

Directions:

1. Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the canola oil and stir in the onion.* Cook until translucent. Then add in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.

2. Add the ground meat and chili powder and saute until browned and cooked through (that’s 165 degrees Fahrenheit).

3. Stir in the beans, corn, and tomatoes. Simmer over medium heat with the lid off for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste. 

5. Serve topped with desired toppings.

*When sauteing the onion, feel free to add in other diced veggies that you have (ex: bell pepper, mushrooms, zucchini, carrots, etc.).

Cost per Serving Information:

I’ve calculated the cost for both 6 and 8 servings and have used the full 1 pound of ground meat in the calculations. Keep in mind that if you’d like to reduce the price per serving even further, opt for less ground meat — or leave it out completely! Hope this helps.

Total per serving: $1.95 - $2.62