Chili, the quintessential comfort food. It's hearty, warming, and perfect for those chilly nights. But sometimes, classic recipes can feel a bit, well, classic. This is where my Smoky Chipotle Beef Chili comes in, adding a delicious twist with the smoky heat of chipotle peppers and a blend of warming spices. It's sure to become a new favorite!
Serves 4 and is only 170mg per serving
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped fine
1 pound lean ground beef
6 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1 tablespoon canned chipotles in adobo, minced
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (15.5-ounce) can no salt added dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5-ounce) can no salt added diced tomatoes, with juice
(28-ounce) can no salt added crushed tomatoes
2 cups unsalted chicken broth
2 tablespoons lime juice
Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, avocado, hot sauce
Instructions:
Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Crumble in the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
Add the garlic, chipotles in adobo, chili powder, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes, and oregano. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to release the fragrance of the spices.
Stir in the kidney beans, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and chicken broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice.
Serve hot with your desired toppings. Enjoy!
Tips:
For a thicker chili, mash some of the kidney beans while simmering.
If you like it extra spicy, add another chipotle in adobo or a few dashes of hot sauce.
This chili freezes well, so make a big batch and enjoy it later!
For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with lentils or another plant-based protein.
Heart-Healthy Benefits:
Low Sodium: The recipe specifically uses no-salt-added ingredients, significantly reducing sodium intake. This is crucial for heart health, as high sodium intake is a major risk factor for high blood pressure, which can strain the heart and increase the risk of heart disease.
Lean Ground Beef: Using lean ground beef minimizes saturated fat content, another risk factor for heart disease. The recipe encourages draining excess fat for further reduction.
Spices Over Salt: The recipe relies on flavorful spices like chili powder, cumin, coriander, and oregano instead of salt for depth of flavor. This provides antioxidants and other beneficial compounds without the sodium downside.
Unsalted Chicken Broth: Opting for unsalted broth avoids hidden sodium and allows you to control seasoning to your preference.
This Smoky Chipotle Beef Chili is sure to please even the pickiest chili lovers. The combination of smoky chipotle, warming spices, and hearty beans creates a flavor explosion that will leave you wanting more. So ditch the ordinary and try this exciting twist on a classic recipe tonight!
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