I am a midwest girlie through and through.
I was born and raised in Ohio, and if there’s one thing I know…it’s classic midwest recipes. And this chili recipe is no exception.
My mother makes a mean chili. We’re talking – no recipe, she just does it by “feel.”
Well, when she came to visit me this past weekend, I wanted to have some “fast food” on stand-by in my fridge, in case hunger strikes.
So I made this chili.
Which, was intimidating! Like being asked to sing in front of Celine Dion or Adele….
And you know what? She LOVED it! She actually wanted the recipe!
SO! Without further ado…introducing my Hearty Midwest Chili!
It’s gluten free and totally delicious! And not to mention — SUPER easy and quick to make, and it keeps in the fridge for a week! (It just gets better with time!)
Here’s What You Need: (Makes 6 servings)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion -diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound 80% lean ground beef – I used grass-fed
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1/4 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper* -optional
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
- Garnishes: sour cream (SCD omit), shredded cheddar cheese, chives
Tools:
Large soup pot
Wooden spoon
Can opener
Colander
Measuring spoons
Directions:
In a large soup pot, saute the onion in 2 Tbsp EVOO for 5 minutes over medium high heat. Add in the garlic, and let cook for another 2 minutes.
Then, add the ground beef. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned.
Next, add the spices, sugar, tomato paste, and salt and pepper.
Finally, add the broth, diced tomatoes *with their juice, drained and rinsed beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and let cook for 20-25 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
This will keep for up to a week in the fridge. Also great to freeze in individual portions!
Oh my goodness, what a chili!
This one is different than the one I usually make, because it is “tomato-forward.” That’s how my mom makes hers, so I decided to make it the traditional midwest way. And boy, does it ever pack the flavor!
There’s something really magical that happens when you stir in sour cream and melted cheddar cheese to a bowl of pipping hot chili. It melts into the mixture and turns it this beautiful blond color. Mmm! It’s so magical.
I also brought some of this chili over to my special gentleman, and wow – he gobbled it up! He ate it for both lunch AND dinner for two days straight!
Talk about rave reviews! It’s hearty! It warms you from the inside out. And it’s super flavorful! And finished with some chopped chives, it’s a meal worthy of a magazine cover!
So do yourself a favor and make this! And if you make it on Sunday, you’ve got good eats for the week!
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
***THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ORDERED MY BOOKS, BLOOM: A JOURNAL BY BEAUTYBEYONDBONES AND “MY BLOGGING TIPS“***Click to order your copy!
MAGIC TOOTHPASTE? Yes! I am in love with this superior whitening toothpaste. It keeps my smile sparkling, without sensitivity or bleach! I made a website where you can directly order this miracle product! So if you want to give it a try, you can go ahead and grab a tube for yourself. I promise, your smile will thank you!Get a tube!
Be sure to check out my affiliate, Audible. Listening to audiobooks while I cook is literally my new favorite thing. And just for you, they’re offering a Free 30-Day Trial Membership. And with this free membership, you’re going to get 2 free audiobooks! Literally. Free. It is the best deal ever. And if for some reason, you decide it’s not for you, you can cancel within those 30 days and it’s zero money out of your pocket, plus, you get to keep the 2 audiobooks. Soooo…it’s pretty much a no brainer. Plus, it’s a free and easy way to support this blog! So thank you!!
STAY CONNECTED!
@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram
For Podcast versions of my posts, please check out Patreon! It’s only $2 a month!! You make this blog possible 🙂
And really quickly, I’ve had several questions concerning my Amazon link (amazon.com/shop/beautybeyondbones) — You do not need to buy one of my specific highlighted products on my page, in order for it to “credit” my account. Any purchases that you search or make from anywhere on Amazon, after first visiting my Amazon page, will credit this blog and help support this blog ministry. I am truly so grateful and appreciative to those of you wanting to do so! So thank you! Again, it is an absolutely free, and easy way for you to help keep this blog going!
25 responses to “Hearty Midwest Chili”
I thought they serve chili over spaghetti in Cincinnati.
Hi Steven. They do! That’s Skyline Chili, which is a very specific type of chili. This is a classic Chili recipe. Hugs and love xox
I like your post thank you so much
thank you so much! Hugs and love xox
Having spent thirty years working in Asia I need things spiced up. 🙂
Hi Ian! Oh yes- well with Cayenne pepper and a splash of hot sauce, this recipe has got you covered! And that’s really awesome – where in Asia? Hugs and love xox
India was my base for twenty years and Singapore my base for ten years. I then transferred briefly to a university in the Philippines before being requested to return to Australia and reengineer a large private hospital in financial trouble.
Oh my gosh, I love chili! Made a pot this morning too! I’d love to try your mother’s chili. 🔥☺️❤️
Hey John! Oh yes – it’s such a comforting meal! Like a hug in a bowl! haha Oh nice!! sounds like you’ll be having a yummy week! hehe Hugs and love xox
Ooh yummy! It’s snowing here so chili is perfect. Thanks for the recipe 😊
Hi Ang! Oh fun!! i love the snow. i can’t wait for a good snowstorm 🙂 and you’re right – that’s perfect chili weather! thanks so much for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Fellow Midwestern girl here! I’m very much a make chili by the feel haha. Do you eat chili with cinnamon rolls?
hi Rachael! oh nice! yay! oh then you have the chili gift! hahah With cinnamon rolls! Now, that is something I’ve never heard of before! how interesting. but i do know that one of the secret ingredients in Cincinnati chili is cinnamon, so that does track 🙂 i’ll have to suggest that to my fam and see what they say! haha thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
Maybe it’s a Nebraska thing? When I was in elementary school one of the lunches we would have is chili and cinnamon rolls. We also have a local fast food restaurant in Nebraska and during the fall and winter season they have a chili and cinnamon roll meal. It’s actually really good. Might have to try it sometime! Haha ❤️
oh my gosh, what a lunch! haha The best lunch we ever had at school was “Brunch for Lunch” when they’d serve french toast sticks. haha – the line would be out the door! 🙂 i think i definitely will!! Hugs and love xox
I also am an Ohio raised, midwestern recipe girl, and I love our special kind of chili. However, the last few years I’ve been on the “white” chili craze with chicken and black beans – yum! Seeing your recipe here made my taste buds yell out for our beloved traditional Ohio chili, though. Thanks for the yummy reminiscence and the recipe – I have to try it now! Warm blessings to you in these cold winter months 💓
Hi Mindy! oh nice!! me too — nothing beats midwestern cooking! 🙂 ooooh – yes! i have been meaning to make a white chili recipe! perhaps my next recipe! 🙂 so glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox
This recipe looks delicious! Best Wishes! Leigh
thank you so much Leigh! oh yes – it was! Hugs and love xox
If you and Steven bring a couple bowls by Kentucky, Anita and I will supply the sour cream. 😁
Delicious comfort food!
THANK YOU! yes, it definitely is! Hugs and love xox
You must have amazing energy. I with I could get some.
I love chilli. It’s one of my favorites.
mine too! it’s so yummy! Hugs and love xox