This cheap, easy chili recipe is one of those classic comfort foods that warm you up from the inside out. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for sharing with friends and family. What’s even better? You can whip up a delicious pot of chili without breaking the bank. This easy recipe uses inexpensive ingredients and can be made in about 30 minutes. Let’s dive in!
Try my cheap soup collection, Easy Winter Soup Recipe, and this Kabocha Carrot Soup for more soup recipes.
Why Make this Budget-Friendly Easy Chili Recipe
- Budget-Friendly: With its simple and inexpensive ingredients, this chili is perfect for anyone looking to save money while enjoying a hearty meal. It’s a great way to stretch your grocery budget!
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is ready in just 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you want something comforting without spending all day in the kitchen.
- Customizable: This chili is highly adaptable whether you prefer it spicy or mild, vegetarian or meat-packed. You can easily swap ingredients based on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences.
- Nutrient-Rich: This chili is tasty and nourishing, packed with protein from the beans and meat and vitamins from the vegetables.
- Make Ahead and Freeze: It stores well, making it an excellent option for meal prep. You can make a big batch and have delicious leftovers ready for the week ahead!
4-Ingredient Chili
- Ground Turkey used frozen ground turkey on this meal since they were sold cheaply. Of course, you can substitute it with chicken or beef, but the cost will exceed $5.00.
- Hot Dog Chili Sauce—This tasty, ready-made sauce for hot dogs is perfect for this recipe.
- Chili Beans
- Bouillon
- Onion- I bought a whole onion and ground it using my processor. I then freeze it to extend its life. I got a small chink of it when I was ready to use it.
- Bell Pepper- I also ground and freeze the pepper for a long shelf life.
- Onion and Garlic Powder
- Oil
Equipment Needed
- Large Pot or Dutch Oven: A sturdy pot is essential for browning the meat and simmering the chili. A Dutch oven works particularly well because it retains heat and evenly distributes heat.
- Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- Cutting Board and Knife: This is for chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients.
- Ladle: For serving the chili.
How do you make this Cheap Easy Chili recipe?
- Heat oil and cut a small chunk of the frozen onion and bell pepper. Saute’ until it’s wilted.
- Thaw the turkey overnight in the fridge, then add the Ground turkey to the pot. Cook it until it turns brown. The turkey must be cooked through.
- Add the Chili Sauce and the Hot dog Chili Sauce. Let it simmer and season with the onion and garlic powder.
Servings
This easy chili recipe yields about 4 to 6 servings, depending on portion sizes. It’s perfect for a family dinner; any leftovers make for a great lunch the next day!
How to Store Your Chili
Refrigerating:
- Cool It Down: Allow your chili to cool to room temperature before storing.
- Choose Containers: To keep the chili fresh, use airtight containers. Glass containers work great, but plastic containers are convenient, too.
- Store: Refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat in the microwave or on the stove until warmed through.
Freezing:
- Cool Completely: Like refrigeration, make sure your chili is completely cooled.
- Portion It Out Consider freezing in individual portions for easy meal prep. This way, you can grab a serving whenever you need it.
- Use Freezer Bags or Containers: If using freezer bags, remove as much air as possible before sealing. If using containers, leave some space at the top, as the chili may expand when frozen.
- Label and Date: Always label your containers with the date and contents to track how long they have been in the freezer.
- Store: Chili can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat it.
This easy chili recipe will become a staple in your home with its flavor and versatility. Enjoy every comforting spoonful!
Cheap Easy Chili Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Large pot
- 1 spatula
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Finely Chopped Onion ($0.46) .46
- 1 tbsp Finely Chopped Green Bell Peper ($0.86)
- 1 lb Thawed Ground Turkey ($1.98)
- 1 can Chili Bean ($0.86)
- 1 can Hot Dog Sauce ($0.78)
- 1 tbsp Onion Powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tbsp Canola Oil
- 1 piece Bouillon you can replace with salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat oil and cut a small chunk of the frozen onion and bell pepper. Saute’ until it’s wilted.
- Thaw the turkey overnight in the fridge, then add the Ground turkey to the pot. Cook it until it turns brown. The turkey must be cooked through.
- Add the Chili Sauce and the Hot dog Chili Sauce. Let it simmer and season with the onion and garlic powder.
Video
Leave a Reply