Chili with Butter Beans

Butter beans add a little twist to this classic chili recipe. This chili with butter beans can be made successfully without the beans, or by substituting your favorite bean alternative.

When the weather turns crisp in the morning, leaving behind frost on windshields and leaves, it is time to dust off the chili pot and put a hearty dish on the stove and the table. If you are in the depths of winter and just need to find a way to warm up from the inside out…this chili with butter bean recipe is for you.

 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Main Course
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 2 pounds of ground beef
  • 1 package of chili seasonings or
Make your own Chili Seasoning (see below)
  • 2 teaspoons of freshly ground pepper (whether you use the seasonings packet or make your own, you will need this ingredient)
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 1 large green , red or yellow bell pepper chopped
  • 1 28 ounce can of diced tomatoes
  • 2 16 ounce cans of butter beans
  • 2 cubes of chicken bouillon or 2 cups of chicken broth
  • 2 cups of water (only if you use the bouillon cubes)
  • 4 5.5-ounce cans of V8 Spicy Hot Vegetable Juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Ingredients for make your own chili seasonings
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne

  • 1 teaspoon powdered garlic
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
Instructions
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large chili pot, and brown the ground beef.
  2. Drain most of the drippings, leaving 2-3 tablespoons of drippings in the pan to sauté the onions and peppers.
  3. Over medium heat sauté the onions and peppers with the ground beef for 2 minutes and then add seasonings including the ground pepper into the mixture. Cook an additional 4-5 minutes, until the onions begin to get soft.
  4. Add to the mixture the canned tomatoes, drained butter beans, salt and pepper and let cook together for 10 minutes.
  5. Add the bouillon cubes or chicken stock, and V8 juice stir and simmer.
  6. Add salt and pepper to taste.


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Mama’s Notes:

Tips

Time to Heat Up The Kitchen

When the weather turns crisp in the morning, leaving behind frost on windshields and leaves, it is time to dust off the chili pot and put a hearty dish on the stove and the table. If you are in the depths of winter and just need to find a way to warm up from the inside out…this chili with butter bean recipe is for you.

The longer the chili simmers, the more flavorful it will become, but it is ready to serve after the ingredients have had a chance to marry. Chili is one of my favorite “go-to” meals. The familiar fragrance of cumin permeates the house, the heartiness comforts, the flavors warm your toes and your soul and it is the kind of dish that can easily be re-purposed (used as left-overs) for breakfast, lunch or dinner the next day. One of my favorite things to do with a bowl of chili is dress it up with fancy condiments or bolster it with a surprising accompaniment such as cheesy grits, twice mashed potatoes or dirty rice.

This is a simple and hearty chili. You can decide how much time you want to spend dressing it up once it is simmering on the stove, or adding a filling accompaniment. Enjoy…from my table to yours – Mama Caruso

AlternativeToppings:

  • Jalapeno chopped
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour Cream
  • Cilantro
  • Black or Green Olives
  • Scallions/Green Onions
  • Mushrooms

I like to put each topping selection in a pretty bowl and let each person dress their own chili to taste.

Leftover Chili with Butter Beans Tip:

Knowing that I will re-purpose the chili, I just dump the remaining toppings into the pot with the leftover chili for a little different taste the next day.

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