Chili is delicious. The ultimate comfort food. The kind of food that will remind you of your childhood and a night out in college all at the same time. Chili is ugly though. So let me just say that for what my chili lacks in photographic appeal, it makes up for in flavor.

This chili recipe is a little less than traditional, but the blend of flavors that I have worked so hard to create will not let you down. I make this chili for my family all the time and they absolutely love it. You can also change up a few of the ingredients and have another similar recipe, with slightly different flavors. I like to create variations in old recipes sometimes to avoid getting sick of the same old thing. I once at the same brand and flavor of canned soup for every meal for about 4 months. I thought this soup was the only food I would ever need to buy. I constantly craved it. But one day, I couldn’t even look at the can without feeling sick. Too much of a good thing.

I find that chili goes really well with kettle cooked potato chips. If you’re feeling a little wild, go ahead and crush up some potato chips and use them as a topping for the chili.

Let’s get into the recipe:

 

 

 

Chili is delicious. The ultimate comfort food. The kind of food that will remind you of your childhood and a night out in college all at the same time. Chili is ugly though. So let me just say that for what my chili lacks in photographic appeal, it makes up for in flavor.

This chili recipe is a little less than traditional, but the blend of flavors that I have worked so hard to create will not let you down. I make this chili for my family all the time and they absolutely love it. You can also change up a few of the ingredients and have another similar recipe, with slightly different flavors. I like to create variations in old recipes sometimes to avoid getting sick of the same old thing. I once at the same brand and flavor of canned soup for every meal for about 4 months. I thought this soup was the only food I would ever need to buy. I constantly craved it. But one day, I couldn’t even look at the can without feeling sick. Too much of a good thing.

I find that chili goes really well with kettle cooked potato chips. If you’re feeling a little wild, go ahead and crush up some potato chips and use them as a topping for the chili.

Let’s get into the recipe:

 

%

Difficulty: easy

Nutrition 

  • Protien 35% 35%
  • Carbs 52% 52%
  • Fat 17% 17%

beer!

 

If you take anything away from this recipe, its to cook your onions in beer before adding the meat. The beer is where you are going to gain the most organic flavor. You are going to want to slice your onion as thin as possible, and then add a can of beer. I prefer blue moon, but use your favorite brew. Allow the onions to cook on medium-low in the beer until it has evaporated completely and the bottom of the pan is browning. Then, add the meat. This way, you get that nice onion/beer caramelization.

Using a beer with a high sugar or carb content is going to be your best bet. Low carb beers will not offer the same caramelization that we are going for. I also find it helpful to season your beer right after you add it to the onions with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder so that way the seasoning will really cook into the onions as they soften.

P.S. If you are like me and not of legal drinking age 😉 substitute the beer for 1.5 cups of water, half of a chicken bouillon and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Sadly, it wont offer the same unique flavor, but it will be delicious nonetheless.

 

 

 

beer!

 

If you take anything away from this recipe, its to cook your onions in beer before adding the meat. The beer is where you are going to gain the most organic flavor. You are going to want to slice your onion as thin as possible, and then add a can of beer. I prefer blue moon, but use your favorite brew. Allow the onions to cook on medium-low in the beer until it has evaporated completely and the bottom of the pan is browning. Then, add the meat. This way, you get that nice onion/beer caramelization.

Using a beer with a high sugar or carb content is going to be your best bet. Low carb beers will not offer the same caramelization that we are going for. I also find it helpful to season your beer right after you add it to the onions with salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder so that way the seasoning will really cook into the onions as they soften.

P.S. If you are like me and not of legal drinking age 😉 substitute the beer for 1.5 cups of water, half of a chicken bouillon and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Sadly, it wont offer the same unique flavor, but it will be delicious nonetheless.

 

 

 

veggies and beans

Nothing makes me happier than using up random veggies sitting in my fridge. I love recipes that can incorporate pretty much any vegetable, it just makes it that much easier to reduce waste, and make with what you have. 

hIn this chili, I added both white and red kidney beans, a can of diced tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic, a vidalia onion, a carrot, a zucchini, and spinach. In the past, making this same recipe, I’ve used anything from mushrooms to bell peppers. This recipe is completely customizable. Use whatever you have. No extra grocery trips today! 

 

 

 

veggies and beans

Nothing makes me happier than using up random veggies sitting in my fridge. I love recipes that can incorporate pretty much any vegetable, it just makes it that much easier to reduce waste, and make with what you have. 

hIn this chili, I added both white and red kidney beans, a can of diced tomatoes, 2 cloves of garlic, a vidalia onion, a carrot, a zucchini, and spinach. In the past, making this same recipe, I’ve used anything from mushrooms to bell peppers. This recipe is completely customizable. Use whatever you have. No extra grocery trips today! 

 

 

 

Ingredients

    • 24oz ground turkey
    • 1 12 oz can of beer
    • 1 large vidalia onion, thinly sliced
    • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
    • 1 16oz can of diced tomatoes
    • 1 can of white kidney beans
    • 1 can of red kidney beans
    • 1 zucchini, shredded
    • 1 carrot, shredded
    • 3 cups of spinach
    • 1.5 tablespoons chili powder
    • 1 tablespoon dried or fresh dill
    • 1 tablespoon cumin
    • 1/2 tablespoon paprika
    • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 tablespoon liquid smoke
    • 1/2 tablespoon salt
    • 1/2 tablespoon ground mustard
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

    servings

    Step by Step Instructions

    Step 1

    Heat a large drizzle of oil on medium low in a large saucepan. Add in your onions and beer. Then add salt and dill. Cook covered for about 20 minutes. Then uncover and continue cooking until beer has evaporated.

    Step 2

    To the onions add in the ground turkey and garlic. Cook on medium until the turkey is browned completely. Then add in the diced tomatoes and beans.

    Step 3

    Mix well, and then add zucchini, carrot and fresh spinach. Add 1/2 cup of water along with the remaining seasonings, stir,  and allow to cook uncovered for about 15 minutes.

    Step 4

    Once the fresh vegetables have softened, cover the pan and turn the heat to simmer. Let the chili to simmer for 30-40 minutes to allow the flavors to mingle.