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The Best Kid-Friendly No-Bean Texas Chili – Easy Budget Dinner

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A quick, budget-friendly, and kid-approved no-bean Texas chili made with ground beef, simple spices, and canned tomatoes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this hearty chili comes together in about 45 minutes and is sure to please even the pickiest eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • Shredded cheddar cheese (for serving, optional)
  • Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (for serving, optional)
  • Chopped green onions (for serving, optional)
  • Fritos or tortilla chips (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Heat the oil: Place your large pot over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Let it heat up for about 30 seconds until it shimmers.
  2. Cook the aromatics: Add the diced onion and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds—just until you can smell it. Don’t let the garlic burn.
  3. Brown the beef: Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with your wooden spoon into crumbles. Let it cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to get a nice sear on the bottom, then stir and continue cooking until the beef is fully browned, about 5-7 minutes total. Leave about a tablespoon of fat in the pot for flavor.
  4. Add the spices: Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika (if using), oregano, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper over the beef. Stir well to coat the meat evenly. Let it cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Add the tomatoes and broth: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juices), beef broth, and tomato paste. Stir everything together until the tomato paste is fully incorporated.
  6. Bring to a simmer: Increase the heat to high and bring the chili to a gentle boil. Once it’s bubbling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot with the lid slightly ajar, and let it simmer for 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Adjust the seasoning: Taste the chili after it’s simmered. Add more salt or chili powder if needed. If it’s too thick, add a splash more broth or water. If it’s too thin, let it simmer uncovered for an extra 5-10 minutes to thicken up.
  8. Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and let everyone add their own toppings.

Notes

For best flavor, toast the spices after adding them to the beef. Don’t over-stir the beef to get better browning. Adjust salt at the end since canned tomatoes and broth already contain salt. This chili freezes well for up to 3 months. For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered longer. For a spicier version, add diced jalapeños or use hot chili powder.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bean chili, Texas chili, kid-friendly chili, easy chili, budget dinner, ground beef chili, quick chili, family dinner

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/the-best-kid-friendly-no-bean-texas-chili-easy-budget-dinner/