This is one of those recipes that is always slightly different. I’ve adapted it over and over through the years, from a recipe that was delicious, but not exactly nutritious. I’ve gotten rid of all the processed canned ingredients in favor of whole foods, but it’s still a very easy, inexpensive meal.

Ingredients:

1 lb. (give or take) ground beef or venison or turkey
1 large onion, chopped

Brown meat and onion; cover with water and simmer 20 minutes.

1 can kidney beans
2 cans pinto beans
(sometimes) 1 can tomato paste
15-oz. can diced tomatoes
8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 tsp salt
1/4-1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1-3 Tbs chili powder

Add all ingredients and simmer 30 minutes.

This recipe freezes great and goes well with cornbread on the side.

Healthy Upgrades

Can use or equivalent dried beans, properly soaked; can substitute one of the pinto cans with black beans, cranberry beans, etc. I often use 3 c. dried mixed kidney and pintos. This ends up being more beans than in the recipe, but it works great and ups the nutrition.

Can use part chicken broth or all bean broth for the water.

Add a red pepper (super food) or other finely chopped veggies to the mix.