Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground beef or turkey
- 1 tsp garlic powder for browning the meat
- salt to taste (for browning the meat)
- black pepper to taste (for browning the meat)
- 2 packets chili seasoning mix
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 2 tbsp Better Than Bouillon beef base or substitute 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cans light red kidney beans undrained
- 2 cans dark red kidney beans undrained
- dried minced onion generous amount
- garlic powder to tastes (sprinkled over the top)
- chili powder to taste
- 1-2 tbsp ground cinnamon the secret ingredient!
Don't Want to Plan? I Got You.Every Saturday I share a full week of dinners, sides, and a dessert — with the grocery list already done. Come grab this week's Weekly Meal Plans!Equipment
Crock-Pot I've had a number of slow-cookers over the years, but I always come back to Crock-Pot. They are just a great slow cooker.
Pyrex Measuring Cups Once I found Pyrex measuring cups I have never gone back to plastic.
Method Start Cooking
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, seasoning with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Drain excess grease.
- Add the browned meat to the crockpot.
- Add the tomato sauce, water, and Better Than Bouillon beef base (or beef broth). Stir to combine.
- Add all four cans of kidney beans — do not drain unless you prefer a thicker chili.
- Add a generous amount of dried minced onion and sprinkle garlic powder liberally over the top.
- Add chili powder and both packets of chili seasoning mix. Stir everything together.
- Add 1–2 tablespoons of cinnamon — this is the secret ingredient that makes this chili absolutely spectacular!
- Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 8 hours.
- Serve topped with shredded cheddar cheese and Fritos, with Jiffy cornbread on the side.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Don't skip the cinnamon — it sounds surprising but it is the secret that makes this chili taste completely different from any other chili you've had. Start with 1 tablespoon if you're nervous and work up from there.
- Stephanie does not drain her kidney beans. The liquid from the cans adds to the depth and sauciness of the chili. But you absolutely can drain them if you prefer a thicker chili.
- To stretch the recipe further: use 1 lb of beef and add a third can each of light and dark kidney beans. More beans, more servings, lower cost.
- Ground turkey works just as well as ground beef if you want a lighter option.
- Stephanie does not drain her kidney beans. The liquid from the cans adds to the depth and sauciness of the chili. But you absolutely can drain them if you prefer a thicker chili.
- To stretch the recipe further: use 1 lb of beef and add a third can each of light and dark kidney beans. More beans, more servings, lower cost.
- Ground turkey works just as well as ground beef if you want a lighter option.
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