This hearty chili comes straight from a well-loved, handwritten family recipe card. Brown the beef and onions, add everything to the pot, and let it simmer low and slow on the stove or in the slow cooker. It makes a big batch, so there’s plenty to share or freeze for later.

Ingredients

• 2 lb (900 g) lean ground beef or ground round
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 can (284 mL) sliced mushrooms, drained
• 1 large can (796 mL) diced tomatoes
• 1 large can (540 mL) red kidney beans
• 1 can (341 mL) corn, drained
• 1 large can (540 mL) white beans
• 1 can Heinz beans in tomato sauce
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 jar (455 mL) Heinz chili sauce
• Chili powder, about 2 to 3 tablespoons (enough to cover the top)

Method

1. Brown the beef and onions. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onions, breaking up the meat, until it is no longer pink. Health Canada recommends cooking ground beef to 71°C (160°F). Drain off any extra fat.
2. Add everything to the pot. Stir in the mushrooms, tomatoes, kidney beans, white beans, Heinz beans in tomato sauce, green pepper, and chili sauce.
3. Add the chili powder. Sprinkle chili powder over the top until it is covered, then stir it in.
4. Simmer. Cover and cook on low on the stove for a couple of hours, stirring now and then. Or move everything to a slow cooker and cook on low.
5. Serve. Ladle into bowls and enjoy on its own or with your favourite toppings.

Tips

• Slow cooker timing. Most slow cookers need about 3 to 5 hours on low or 2 to 3 hours on high. Always brown the beef first.
• Go easy on the heat. Start with 2 tablespoons of chili powder. You can always add more at the end.
• Less salt. Drain and rinse the kidney beans, and look for no-salt-added canned tomatoes.
• Make it ahead. Chili tastes even better the next day. Keep leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days, or freeze in single portions for easy lunches.
• Topping ideas. Shredded cheddar, a spoonful of sour cream or plain yogurt, green onions, or crackers on the side.

From a handwritten family recipe card. Food safety temperature from Health Canada: Safe internal cooking temperatures.