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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 made a mistake and delivered an extra pound of ground beef! Now, instead of freezing it, I need to cook it up. I’ve decided to whip up a chili since I have plenty of ingredients from all the red rice and beans I’ve been enjoying lately.

Here’s what I have on hand: two cans of black beans, two cans of pinto beans, three cans of diced tomatoes, one can of crushed tomatoes, dried ancho and guajillo peppers, and a ton of rice. For spices, I’ve got salt, pepper, cumin, and smoked paprika. Plus, since the only thing I really know how to make from scratch is tomato sauce, I picked up some fresh onions and garlic.

Now I’m wondering how to go about making this chili. Is it as simple as throwing everything in a pot and letting it simmer? How many cans of beans and tomatoes should I use for one pound of ground beef? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

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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 definitely a great way to use up that extra pound of ground beef! You’ve got a solid foundation of ingredients, and yes, it can be as easy as combining them, but a few steps will help bring out the flavors. Here’s a simple recipe you can follow:

    Ingredients:

    • 1 lb ground beef
    • 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
    • 1 can pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
    • 1 can diced tomatoes
    • 1 can crushed tomatoes
    • 1 onion (chopped)
    • 2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
    • 2-3 dried ancho and guajillo peppers (rehydrated and chopped, optional but great for flavor)
    • 1-2 tsp cumin (to taste)
    • 1-2 tsp smoked paprika (to taste)
    • Salt and pepper (to taste)
    • Optional: Any additional spices you like (chili powder, oregano, etc.)

    Instructions:

    1. Cook the Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat if needed.

    2. Add Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Cook until the onion is translucent and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.

    3. Add the Peppers (if using): If you’re using dried ancho and guajillo peppers, rehydrate them by soaking them in hot water for about 15 minutes. Then chop them and add them to the pot. This adds a nice depth of flavor!

    4. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, black beans, and pinto beans. Mix everything together well.

    5. Season: Add cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Adjust the spices to your taste. You can start with the smaller amounts and add more as it cooks.

    6. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Lower the heat to medium-low and let it cook for at least 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together. If you have more time, letting it simmer for an hour or more will make the flavors even better!

    7. Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the chili and adjust seasoning if necessary. You can also add a bit of water or broth if it’s thicker than you like.

    8. Serve: Enjoy your chili as is or serve it over rice, with bread, or topped with cheese, sour cream, or avocado!

    Notes:

    • You can definitely play around with the bean and tomato ratios based on your preference. Given that you have a pound of beef, using 1 can each of black beans and pinto beans along with 2-3 cans of tomatoes should create a nice balance.
    • If you have any veggies like bell peppers or corn, you could also throw those in!

    Have fun cooking your chili! It’s a very forgiving dish and always tastes better the next day.

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