Three Bean Chili

My daughter was getting ready to go to a barbecue and waited until the last minute to ask for a suggestion on what to take. According to her she could not possibly take the pasta salad she usually prepares. She thought chili sounded good. I had beans in the pantry but she nixed that..."Couldn't I just dump some cans together? I don't have time to really cook...."

Okay, let's see what we can do without a trip to the store! We searched and came up with a recipe that we adjusted and could easily put together.

Three Bean Chili

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapeno, minced (seeds and membrane removed from one)
1 to1 1/2 pound lean ground beef
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp chopped chipotle in adobo sauce
2 tsp cumin
2-3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
1 bottle beer
2 cans (14.5 0z. each) diced tomatoes with chilis
1 can water
1 small can tomato paste
1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste

Garnish with any or all:
Cilantro, chopped
Sour Cream
Shredded cheddar cheese

In a large dutch oven cook onion in olive oil until softened, about five minutes. Add garlic and jalapeno. Cook, stirring, for another minute. Add ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat, until no longer pink. Drain any fat from the pan and return to heat.

Add the chili powder, chipotle, and cumin. Cook spices and meat together, stirring for another minute or two. Add the beer, stir, simmer. Add drained, rinsed beans. Add tomatoes and can of water. Stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, for an hour. If additional liquid is needed, add 1/2 to 1 cup chicken broth.

Add drained corn. As the chili simmers, stir occasionally. Taste, adjust seasoning as needed.

We transferred the chili to a crock pot and she was on her way!

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Great chili and even better the next day!