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Doordash screwed up and got me an extra pound of ground beef… How hard is it to make a chili?

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Doordash messed up and ended up giving me an extra pound of ground beef. Seriously, how hard is it to make a chili? Since I forgot to freeze the beef, I need to cook it up, and I’ve decided to whip up a chili because I think I’ve got all the fixings from all the red rice and beans I’ve been eating.

Here’s what I have on hand: 2 cans of black beans, 2 cans of pinto beans, 3 cans of diced tomatoes, 1 can of crushed tomatoes, and some dried ancho and guajillo peppers. Plus, I’ve got rice galore! For spices, I’m working with salt and pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika.

Since the only thing I’m really comfortable making from scratch is tomato sauce, I also picked up some fresh onions and garlic.

So, how do I make this chili? Can I really just throw everything into a pot and let it simmer? How many cans of beans and tomatoes should I use for 1 pound of ground beef?

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One response to “Doordash screwed up and got me an extra pound of ground beef… How hard is it to make a chili?”

  1. BRAdmin Avatar
    BRAdmin

    Making chili is actually pretty straightforward, and you’ve got a solid set of ingredients to work with! Here’s a simple way to put it all together:

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 can of black beans
    • 1 can of pinto beans (or both if you want a heartier chili)
    • 1 can of diced tomatoes
    • 1 can of crushed tomatoes
    • 1 onion, diced
    • 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
    • Dried ancho and guajillo peppers (if you want to incorporate them; you can rehydrate them first for better flavor)
    • Spices: salt, pepper, cumin, smoked paprika
    • Optional toppings: cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado

    Instructions:

    1. Prepare the Peppers (if using): If you want to use the dried ancho and guajillo peppers, remove the stems and seeds, then rehydrate them in hot water for about 15-20 minutes. Once softened, chop them up.

    2. Sauté Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat some oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, cooking until the onions are translucent.

    3. Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot and break it up with a spoon. Cook until it’s browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

    4. Add the Spices: Stir in your spices—start with about 1-2 teaspoons of cumin and smoked paprika, along with salt and pepper to taste. If you added the dried peppers, toss them in here too.

    5. Add Tomatoes and Beans: Add the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, and your choice of black and pinto beans. Use one can of each or both for a more robust chili.

    6. Simmer: Stir everything together, bring it to a simmer, and let it cook for about 20-30 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld; feel free to add a little water if it gets too thick.

    7. Taste and Adjust: After simmering, taste your chili and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more cumin or smoked paprika, depending on your taste.

    8. Serve: Once it’s done, serve your chili hot with your choice of toppings. If you have rice, you can serve it on the side or mix it in.

    Tips:

    • If you prefer a thicker chili, you could mash some of the beans against the side of the pot while stirring.
    • You can also add veggies like bell peppers or corn if you have them on hand.

    Chili is quite forgiving, so feel free to adjust based on what you like or have. Enjoy your chili-making adventure!

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