Hearty Southern Chili Delight
This Hearty Southern Chili Delight is a soul-warming recipe inspired by Paula Deen, perfect for feeding a crowd or a cozy family gathering. With a rich blend of ground meats, colorful vegetables, and a generous mix of beans, this chili delivers not just flavor but also comfort. The slow simmer brings out the flavors while the spices infuse the dish with warmth and coziness. Top with your favorite garnishes like Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and fresh green onions for a finishing touch. Whether on a chilly evening or for a game day feast, this chili is sure to please!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Ground beef or sausage
1 lb (browned and drained)
Onion
1 medium (diced)
Green bell pepper
1 (diced)
Celery
2 cups (chopped)
Diced tomatoes
2 (28 ounce) cans (canned)
Whole canned tomatoes
1 (28 ounce) can (canned)
Ground cumin
to taste
Chili powder
to taste
Pinto beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
Black beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
Kidney beans
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (drained and rinsed)
Chili seasoning mix
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package
Sour cream or chopped green onion
for garnish
Instructions
1
In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the mixed ground beef and sausage until fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain the excess grease and set aside.
2
In a large pot, spray with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and chopped celery, sautéing for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
3
Stir in the diced and whole canned tomatoes, breaking the whole tomatoes apart with a spoon as you mix them into the pot.
4
Add ground cumin and chili powder according to your taste preference, cooking the mixture for an additional 8 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
5
Introduce the drained and rinsed pinto, black, and kidney beans to the pot, along with the browned meat and the chili seasoning mix. Stir well to combine.
6
Partially cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and let the chili simmer for 4 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
7
Once done, serve hot with toppings like shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped green onions.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Southern Chili Delight?
Hearty Southern Chili Delight is a soul-warming recipe inspired by Paula Deen that features a rich blend of ground meats, colorful vegetables, and various beans.
What types of meat are used in this chili recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 pound of ground meat, which can be ground beef, ground sausage, or a mixture of both.
How should the ground meat be prepared?
The meat should be browned in a large skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked, and then the excess grease must be drained.
Which vegetables are required for the base of the chili?
The vegetable base consists of one medium diced onion, one diced green bell pepper, and two cups of chopped celery.
How many cans of tomatoes are needed for Hearty Southern Chili Delight?
You will need two 28-ounce cans of diced tomatoes and one 28-ounce can of whole tomatoes.
How do you handle the whole canned tomatoes during cooking?
When adding the whole tomatoes to the pot, you should break them apart with a spoon as you mix them in.
What specific beans are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a 14.5-ounce can each of pinto beans, black beans, and kidney beans.
Do the beans need to be prepared before adding them to the pot?
Yes, all three types of beans should be drained and rinsed before being introduced to the chili.
What spices are used to season the chili?
The dish is seasoned with ground cumin, chili powder, and one 1.25-ounce package of chili seasoning mix.
How long does the chili need to simmer?
The chili should be partially covered and allowed to simmer on low heat for 4 hours.
What is the recommended serving suggestion for toppings?
It is best served hot with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped green onions.
How do I prevent the chili from sticking to the pot?
You should stir the chili occasionally during the 4-hour simmering process to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
What kind of pot is best for this recipe?
A large pot sprayed with nonstick cooking spray is recommended to accommodate the high volume of ingredients.
Is this chili suitable for a game day event?
Yes, the description highlights it as a perfect dish for a game day feast or feeding a large crowd.
How much ground cumin and chili powder should I add?
The recipe suggests adding ground cumin and chili powder according to your personal taste preference.
How long should I sauté the vegetables before adding the tomatoes?
Sauté the onion, green bell pepper, and celery for about 5 minutes until they begin to soften.
What is the total weight of the tomatoes used?
The recipe uses three 28-ounce cans, which totals 84 ounces of tomatoes.
When do I add the chili seasoning mix?
The chili seasoning mix is added at the same time as the drained beans and the browned meat.
Can I use different types of beans?
The traditional recipe calls for pinto, black, and kidney beans, but these provide a balanced texture for the Southern style.
Does this recipe include celery?
Yes, the recipe includes 2 cups of chopped celery which helps build the aromatic vegetable base.
How many ingredients are in the Hearty Southern Chili Delight?
There are a total of 13 ingredients including the garnishes.
What heat setting is used for browning the meat?
Medium heat is used to brown the ground beef and sausage in a skillet.
Is the pot fully covered during the simmer?
No, the pot should be only partially covered while the chili simmers for 4 hours.
What should the texture of the vegetables be before adding beans?
The vegetables should be cooked until they are tender, which usually takes about 8 minutes after adding spices.
What makes this recipe 'Southern'?
It is inspired by Paula Deen's style of Southern comfort food, emphasizing hearty portions and a slow-simmered flavor profile.
Can I substitute the sausage for more beef?
Yes, you can use 1 lb of ground beef entirely if you prefer not to use sausage.
What is the size of the chili seasoning package?
The recipe specifies a 1.25-ounce package of chili seasoning mix.
When should the garnishes be added?
Garnishes like cheese, sour cream, and green onions should be added just before serving the hot chili.
Can this recipe be cooked faster than 4 hours?
The recipe recommends a 4-hour slow simmer to properly infuse the flavors and ensure the meat and beans are perfectly tender.
Is the chili spicy?
The spice level is adjustable since the ground cumin and chili powder are added 'to taste' alongside the seasoning mix.