I mentioned that I tried four new recipes when I was in Florida, right? Well, the first meal I made when I got to there was chili – a turkey variety for my parents and a vegetarian version for my brother. And I thought they were both amazing. It’s taken me a while, but I think I perfected my basic chili recipe. I didn’t know that for sure until I tasted the batch I made on December 22nd, but I was really impressed with the results of what I threw together so I had to share the recipe. (In case you’re wondering, I’ll post the vegetarian chili soon.) I wrote the instructions for making this chili in a slow cooker since that’s what I would have done if I was in my own kitchen, but in Florida I actually just simmered it on the stove top (in a large pot with the lid on, but propped open a bit to let steam escape) for several hours instead. Either way works! I think I’m going to make another of this chili for myself soon.
INGREDIENTS:
20 oz ground turkey
1 c diced sweet onion
3 Tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
2 cans (15 oz each) dices tomatoes
2 cans (8 oz each) tomato sauce
1 can (15 oz) reduced sodium black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (15 oz) reduced sodium kidney beans, drained and rinsed
DIRECTIONS:
In a large skillet or pot (nonstick or otherwise, doesn’t really matter) cook the ground turkey and onion until the meat is no longer pink. When the meat is fully cooked add the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper (if desired). Stir until the spices are well incorporated and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add the beef mixture to the bottom of your Crockpot (I recommend using a liner to make clean up a breeze). Pour the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and drained and rinsed beans on top of the beef mixture and stir gently to combine. Put the lid on the Crockpot and cook on low for about 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Enjoy!
Based on A Year of Slow Cooking’s Basic Chili Crockpot Recipe and My Chili Cook-Off Test Recipe #3.
