When it's time to cook up deliciousness for a tailgate party or just because you like chili. My easy to make recipe will make your tummy happy!
One of my favorite cold weather dishes has to be a hearty and delicious Three Bean Chili! I like making chili with more than one bean because it allows you to get a little more creative with your chili. Adding a little flair makes the dish your own instead of making the stereotypical chili and beans using only kidney beans. So have fun mixing and matching your favorites.
I tend to go a little on the milder side when I make chili so I use plain beans (not chili beans) and adjust the seasonings as I go. I do keep a few bottles of hot sauce and jalapenos on hand for those that are a little more daring than I.
Let’s gather the ingredients (aka mise en place) for our Three Bean Chili. It’s always a good way to find out if you have everything you need to make what you’re preparing, and having everything ready makes cooking so much easier.
I’ve been using RAGÚ for as long as I remember and to this day, you’ll find a jar or two in my pantry for those days I just don’t feel like making homemade sauce. When you find a product that’s dependable and delicious you stick with it.
Your friends are going to love this chili! Serve it with tortillas, nachos, on burgers and dogs or just by the bowlful.
If you’ve tried my Easy Tailgaters Chili recipe or any other recipe on askchefdennis.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram @chefdenniseats and @chefdennistravels, Twitter and Facebook
When it's time to cook up deliciousness for a tailgate party or just because you like chili. My easy to make recipe will make your tummy happy!
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large sweet onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 15 ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 15 ounce can chili pinto beans no chili pinto beans can be used instead
- 15 ounce can cannellini beans drained and rinsed
- 24 ounces your favorite spaghetti sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 2 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon granulated onion
- Optional cayenne can be added for extra heat, use with caution. Be careful in adding cayenne if you decide to kick it up a notch as a little goes a long way.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar optional
In a large skillet or pot add the chopped onions, garlic and olive oil. Sauté for a few minutes until the onions are lightly cooked.
- Add ground meat and begin the browning process. You may need to add additional olive oil.
Brown all the meat continuously stirring to break up the meat. (you may find a heavy wire whisk helpful in breaking up the chunks).
When the meat is browned begin adding in your seasonings (remember you can always add more after it's cooked for a while).
Add spaghetti sauce and beans combining all of the ingredients.
Reduce heat to simmer and allow to simmer for 1 - 2 hours, stirring so it won't stick to the bottom.
If chili begins to get too thick you can add additional stock or water to get it to the consistency you like.
- Taste and re-season to your taste.
If you like your chili spicier add in more chili powder or cayenne pepper. To add a little sweetness to the chili add in 2 tablespoons of brown sugar.
Maria says
I love chili. Because its delicious but also because it gives me an excuse to make cornbread. Ha! And YAY for not too spicy chili!!
Julie says
I love chili but not too spicy : )
Will give 3 stars for now until after I try it then will give another rating. Thx?
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks Julie! I’m not a big fan of spicy so mine is more tasty than spicy. I didn’t use any cayenne or overdo the chili powder
Larry says
Good looking chili chef.
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks Larry, nothing beats a good bowl of Chili!