Travis’ Famous Chili with Beans

If you ask any true Texan whether or not chili should have beans, the answer is usually a resounding no. However, this is the one point where I will have to agree to disagree. Generally, most Texans think of chili with beans as containing pinto or red beans, or even the “Yankee” twist with kidney beans. In our family, we use black beans.

Growing up, I hated veggies with a passion, so throwing in chunks of tomato and black beans in chili was about the only way my mom got me to eat veggies. I have to say, as parent of a toddler who could live on three cheese crackers and a 10-minute car nap, my mom’s trick is working on my kid too. And hey, any way we can sneak extra protein in our diet is a win, too.

This recipe is not meant to be spicy since it’s kid-friendly. However, you can turn the heat up by throwing in a couple of diced Habanero, Serrano, and/or jalapeño peppers. You could also use more cayenne pepper than this calls for if you don’t have any fresh peppers. 

For our family, one of the best parts of chili is its insane flexibility. Chow down on it plain or sprinkle in some cheese and cornbread on the side. Our current favorite serving suggestion is poured on top of some tamales, or sprinkled on top of some nachos (our toddler’s favorite). Either way you choose to enjoy it, this chili is sure to please the whole family!

Travis’ Famous Chili with Beans

Recipe by travis@cookedbydad.comCourse: main, dinner, lunchCuisine: texmex, SouthwesternDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

This chili is perfect for a comfort meal or to meal-prep for the week.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs lean ground beef

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans

• 2 cans (15 oz each) tomato sauce

• 3 tablespoons chili powder

• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 2 teaspoons onion powder

• 2 teaspoons cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon oregano

• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions

• Brown the ground beef on high heat, then drain grease when done.
• Rinse the can of black beans in a strainer and add to the ground beef.
• Add tomato sauce and seasonings, then reduce heat to simmer.
• Cover with lid and cook for at least 15 minutes on simmer, or longer for flavor to come out more. If you choose to simmer for longer, make sure you stir every 10-15 minutes to avoid burning.

Notes

• If you choose to add fresh diced peppers, cook for at least 30 minutes for softer peppers and additional flavor.