Garlic Chili

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Cuisine: Mexican

A hearty, flavorful chili featuring ground beef or deer, tomatoes, beans, and bold spices. Perfect for comforting dinners or casual gatherings with a spicy kick.

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef or deer
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh garlic
  • 1 can diced tomato
  • 1 can red beans
  • 1 can tomato sauce (8 oz.)
  • 1 pkg. McCormick chili mix

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef with chopped onion and fresh garlic.
  2. Drain excess fat and add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, red beans, and chili seasoning mix.
  3. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes to develop flavors.

Tips & Substitutions

For an extra kick, consider adding diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to your garlic chili. If you prefer a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with lentils or mushrooms. Additionally, feel free to use fresh diced tomatoes instead of canned for a fresher taste. To enhance the flavor, let your chili simmer longer than 10 minutes if you have time.

Serving Suggestions

Serve your garlic chili with warm cornbread or over a bed of rice for a hearty meal. Top with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions for added flavor. This dish pairs beautifully with Easy Cheesy Beef Enchiladas(20 Minutes To Make) for a complete dinner spread.

Storage & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply microwave in 1-minute increments, stirring in between, until heated through. Alternatively, reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture if needed.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Garlic Chili contains roughly 589 calories, with 32g protein, 56g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (65% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (53% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (44% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1856mg per serving (81% of the Daily Value).

589 kcal 29% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 32.5g 65% DV
Total Fat 26.2g 34% DV
Carbs 56.4g 20% DV
Fiber 14.8g 53% DV
Sugar 9.4g 19% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1856.2mg 81% DV
Potassium 1061.2mg 23% DV
Cholesterol 71mg 24% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 103.5mcg 11% DV
Vitamin C 39.5mg 44% DV
Vitamin D 0.1mcg 1% DV
Calcium 96mg 7% DV
Iron 7.2mg 40% DV
Diet fit High-protein High-fiber

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use different types of beans in this recipe?

Absolutely! You can use black beans, pinto beans, or even chickpeas as a substitute for red beans. Just ensure that any beans you use are drained and rinsed well before adding them to the chili.

How can I thicken my chili if it’s too watery?

If your chili turns out too watery, you can thicken it by simmering it uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce the liquid. Alternatively, you can mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with water to create a slurry and stir it into the chili until it thickens.

Can I make this chili ahead of time?

Yes, this garlic chili can be made ahead of time! In fact, the flavors often improve after a day in the fridge. Just let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container. It can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for a month.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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