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hearty winter chili recipe

Hearty Chili Recipe for Cold Winter Nights

This rich and satisfying chili combines ground beef, kidney beans, and a flavorful tomato base enhanced with V-8 juice. Perfect for cold evenings, this comforting dish requires minimal effort but delivers maximum flavor with its balanced blend of savory and subtle sweetness.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder adjust to taste
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 onion diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 10½ ounces Campbell's tomato soup 1 can
  • 14½ ounces diced tomatoes 1 can
  • 24 ounces V-8 vegetable juice
  • 48 ounces kidney beans about 3 cans, drained and rinsed

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Slow cooker (optional)

Method
 

  1. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon until fully cooked.
  2. Drain excess fat from the pot.
  3. Drain and rinse the kidney beans.
  4. Add the kidney beans to the pot along with the diced tomatoes, tomato soup, V-8 vegetable juice, tomato paste, sugar, chili powder, diced onion, beef bouillon cubes, and ketchup.
  5. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
  6. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for at least 30 minutes, preferably 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  7. Adjust seasoning to taste before serving.

Notes

For a slow cooker version, brown the beef first, then transfer all ingredients to your crockpot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors will develop.
This chili is very adaptable - try ground turkey for a lighter version, or add jalapeños for extra heat. Serve with cornbread, a dollop of sour cream, or shredded cheddar cheese for the ultimate comfort meal.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 5 days and actually taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld. This chili also freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.