Weekends these days are for football (fingers crossed) and chili. Fall might be my favorite season. Nothing makes me happier than curling up on the couch with a big bowl of tasty chili on a crisp day.
“This chili has the makings of a champion, but it’s so simple,” says Martha Ray Deen (Charlotte, NC) of her State Champion Chili Made Easy recipe.
I love the consistency of this chili. It’s hearty with a slight kick and full of meat and beans. Reading the recipe I was a little skeptical about the number of beans, but they create a nice, thick chili. Top with a little cheese and some cornbread and you have a chili everyone will devour.
Sheila Hinds’ (Turlock, CA) Steak Chili With Tomatoes will be yummy on a cool afternoon.
“My husband enjoys this chili because it’s quick and easy to make,” shares Sheila. “This recipe is changeable from steak to ground beef, how convenient is that.”
A cross between a stew and a chili, I use stew meat and like the different texture, it lends this chili. Your kitchen will smell delicious while the meat browns. The seasoning blend is filled with onion, garlic, salt, and pepper and, combined with the chili powder, are perfect for the chili and not overwhelming.
Another chili that doesn’t just use ground beef is Leah O’Connell’s (Erie, PA) Hunter’s Sweet ‘n Spicy Chili. It’s is a great recipe for someone new to cooking venison.
“My husband and I have argued for years which chili recipe is the best, his or mine,” reveals Leah. “We have come up with a wonderful, scrumptious, and amazingly tantalizing chili compromise!”
Using venison and beef takes away the gamey flavor some find from venison. The combination of savory and sweet with a punch of spice makes this the perfect chili. I love the addition of corn and BBQ sauce. If you have leftovers, I highly recommend trying Leah’s suggestion over bowtie pasta. It is delicious and a great way to reinvent leftovers.
Kay Cowell’s (Bedford, TX) Football Chili is perfect on game day.
“When the first hint of a chill in the air comes on my family looks forward to the first pot of football chili,” shares Kay. “It will warm you to your toes and don’t worry about what to do with leftovers because there won’t be any.”
It’s not super spicy, but chili powder and cumin add a ton of flavor. This chili is full of meat and beans. Super hearty, it will keep you full for a while. Kay suggests topping with corn chips, onion, and grated cheese. I loved them but try with your favorites. A crowd-pleasing chili.
Kristin Pitts’ (Fort Bragg, NC) Taco Chili Supreme has a delicious Southwestern flair.
“This recipe started out as a 5 ingredient Crock Pot dish,” explains Kristin. “It has evolved over the years and has become a staple meal in our house.”
The slow cooker does all the work for you in this taco-inspired chili. Substituting ground beef for turkey lightens up the meal and makes the chili a bit healthier (if you’re looking for a healthy recipe). Serving this with tortilla chips makes it more like a cowboy salsa. Add a little cheese and sour cream and you have an awesome easy meal!
Try one of these tasty chili recipes next time you’re looking to curl up on the couch on a fall afternoon and want a comforting meal. They’re perfect for fall. Happy Pinching!