This simple homemade chili is delicious, and a great way to use up the last few harvests of veggies from your garden. In this post I’m sharing my favorite family recipe, and I’ll show you how to make it from scratch.
![Fast And Easy Homemade Chili Recipe](https://getbusygardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/homemade-chili-recipe.jpg)
After a long day of tackling fall or winter garden chores, having a bowl of this yummy chili is a great way to wind down in the evening, and will warm you right up.
This tasty recipe is a family tradition, passed on for three generations. I love using fresh vegetables from my garden, or my home-canned produce.
Easy Homemade Chili Recipe
This quick and easy chili recipe is a favorite because it’s a one-pot meal that only takes 10-15 minutes of prep, and then simmers on its own until ready.
It’s also versatile, so you can experiment with what you have leftover from your garden, or use other ingredients you have on hand. Follow the recipe as is, or modify it to make it your own.
Total Time – 45-90 minutes
Yields – 10 servings
![Ingredients for my homemade chili recipe. Ingredients for my homemade chili recipe.](https://getbusygardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/chili-recipe-ingredients.jpg)
Supplies Needed
- Dutch oven or large pot
- Large mixing spoon
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Measuring spoons
Recipe
- 1-1.5 pounds ground meat of your choice (turkey and beef are my favorites)
- 1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
- One medium onion, chopped
- One bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1.75 pints of canned tomatoes (chop them up if you canned them whole)
- OR 8 medium, fresh tomatoes (finely chopped)
- OR 28 oz store-bought can of crushed tomatoes
- One 14.5 oz can dark red kidney beans, drained
- One 14.5 oz can light red kidney beans, drained
- One 14.5 oz can chili beans
- 4-7 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 Tablespoon dried Italian seasoning mix
- 4 cups V8 juice*
* DON’T buy generic tomato/vegetable juice. There is a major difference between the taste of V8 juice and the cheaper stuff.
Trust me on this. I’ve made the mistake a couple of times, but this homemade chili recipe is always better with V8. It freezes well, so you can keep any excess, and use it for making your next batch.
Also, if you like your chili to have a kick, you can use spicy Italian sausage and/or hot peppers instead of mild.
Instructions
Step 1: Heat the pot – Heat a large pot or dutch oven on the stove over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat, Italian sausage, onion, and pepper. Stirring occasionally, cook until meat is browned.
Step 2: Prepare the tomatoes (optional, if using fresh tomatoes) – If you are using fresh tomatoes, place them in a separate pot and cook them over medium heat until softened.
Step 3: Drain the meat – After the meat has finished cooking, drain off the excess fat.
Step 4: Add the beans – Drain the liquid from both cans of kidney beans, and add them to the pot with the meat and veggie mix. Then pout in the chili beans, but DO NOT drain them.
![Chili ingredients in the pot. Chili ingredients in the pot.](https://getbusygardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/chili-ingredients-large-pot.jpg)
Step 5: Add the tomatoes and spices – Next add the tomatoes, chili powder, and Italian seasoning. If you like hot, mix in a teaspoon of hot pepper flakes too.
Step 6: Pour in the juice – The last ingredient to add to your homemade chili is the V8 juice. You can add a little bit less if you like it chunky, or the full amount to make it soupy.
![Chili simmering on the stove. Chili simmering on the stove.](https://getbusygardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/chili-in-progress-of-cooking.jpg)
Step 7: Simmer your homemade chili – Mix the ingredients together well, and then reduce the heat down to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for at least one hour, stirring occasionally.
Rather than cooking it on the stove, you can put your chili into a slow cooker and leave it on simmer all day. The longer it simmers, the more flavorful it will be.
![A bowl of my chili with a sandwich. A bowl of my chili with a sandwich.](https://getbusygardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Chili-with-PBJ-sandwich.jpg)
This is seriously the best homemade chili recipe ever, and it will quickly become a family favorite. It’ll warm you up after working in the garden, it’s a great way to use up your fresh-grown produce, and it will make your home smell amazing.
More Garden Fresh Recipes
- How To Make Healthy Potato Soup (Recipe)
- How To Make Basil Pesto Using Garden Fresh Basil
- How To Make Homemade Sun Dried Cherry Tomatoes
- Easy Baked Okra Fries Recipe (Oven Or Air-Fryer)
- How To Make Homemade Zoodles (Zucchini Noodles)
- Fudgy Chocolate Zucchini Brownies Recipe
- Quick & Easy Zucchini Relish Recipe
Share your favorite homemade chili recipe in the comments section below.
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