Kristie's Chili

1 lb ground beef
1 large sweet onion, chopped
1 large green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, chopped w/ 1 tsp sauce (optional)
4 16 oz cans “Chili Beans” (Bush's or Kuners)
4 cups water
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp yellow corn meal
Dash of cinnamon
1 cup ketchup
1 tsp cayenne pepper or hot sauce

Brown the ground beef in a dutch oven or large pot ( I season the meat lightly with salt, pepper and a dash of chili powder). Drain thoroughly. While ground beef drains, cook onion, pepper, garlic and chopped chipotle chili until tender ( I also season the veggies with a little salt/pepper/chili powder and a pinch of sugar). Mix in remaining ingredients ( I add the beans first then the ketchup, water and spices last). Simmer for 30-45 minutes. Enjoy!!! This will be ready to eat after about 30 or 45 minutes but it is even better if you let it continue to simmer gently for up to an hour or hour and a half and it’s even better the next day!

Note: Chili Beans are canned pinto beans in a Mexican style chili sauce. They are available in the ethnic food aisle at the market.


Number of Servings: 12

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user KBDEMELLO.