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Classic Beef Chili

The Simple Art of EatingWell

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This classic beef-and-bean chili gets a nutritional boost from shredded sweet potato. We call it a stealth vegetable because it melts into the chili so well that even picky eaters will gobble it up.


Classic Beef Chili Recipe

Makes: 8 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each

Active Time:

Total Time:

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean (90% or leaner) ground beef (see Tip)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and shredded
  • 2 15-ounce cans kidney beans, rinsed
  • 1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes, preferably petite diced
  • 1 cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 2 scallions, sliced

Preparation

  1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring often, until starting to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Add beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cumin, coriander, salt and cayenne; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in water and sweet potato. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a simmer, until the sweet potato is softened and beginning to break down, 6 to 8 minutes. Add beans, crushed tomatoes and diced tomatoes; return to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally and adjusting the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer, until the sweet potato starts to melt into the chili, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve topped with cheese and scallions.

Tips & Notes

  • Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
  • Tip: Check the label to be sure you are buying lean ground meat. Anything labeled 90%-lean or higher is considered a healthy choice.

Nutrition

Per serving: 359 calories; 15 g fat ( 6 g sat , 6 g mono ); 52 mg cholesterol; 35 g carbohydrates; 0 g added sugars; 23 g protein; 11 g fiber; 666 mg sodium; 1003 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (148% daily value), Vitamin C (40% dv), Iron (35% dv), Potassium (29% dv), Zinc (28% dv), Calcium (22% dv), Folate & Magnesium (21% dv)

Carbohydrate Servings: 1 1/2

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 1 fat


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