I am going through family recipe boxes for dinner inspiration. My Mom’s Chili Recipe is a childhood favorite that I know you’ll love.
Growing up I knew my Mom’s chili was different. It was more like a sweet tomato soup with ground beef and kidney beans. Like really sweet. I’ve been going through her recipe boxes recently. Her chili calls for 1/2 cup of sugar! That is kind of crazy. But as a kid, I really loved her chili.
So I decided to make her chili. But alter it a bit to make it more universally appealing. 1/2 cup of sugar became two tablespoons. So there’s still a hint of sweetness. I think you’ll really enjoy my lovingly updated version of my Mom’s chili.
Ingredients in My Mom’s Chili Recipe
- Butter
- Onion
- Ground Beef
- Light Red Kidney Beans
- Crushed Tomatoes
- Tomato Juice
- Sugar
- Chili Powder
- Chipotle Chili Powder
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Salt
- Bay Leaves
What to Serve with My Mom’s Chili Recipe
Kitchen Tips
- Use a non-stick soup pot for cooking
- Be sure to drain the beef after it cooks
- Brand of crushed tomatoes I use
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My Mom's Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 sweet onion chopped
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 3 cups tomato juice
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1 tbsp Worchestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 (15 oz) cans light red kidney beans drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Melt butter over medium heat in a large soup pot.
- Add the onion and cook for few minutes until starting to soften.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking into small pieces, until no longer pink.
- Drain the fat from the cooked beef and onion and return it to the pot.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato juice, and all the seasonings (sugar through bay leaves).
- Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Simmer the soup for at least 20 minutes or up to one hour.
- Stir in the kidney beans about 5 minutes before serving. Remove the bay leaves.
- Serve the chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream and sliced jalapeño peppers if desired.
Chris Collins says
I think your mom may have the best chili ever! Total comfort food and so delicious!
foodtasticmom says
I certainly think so! It’s such an easy recipe too.
veenaazmanov says
Homemade and mom’s recipe is definitely going to be amazing and I just cant miss a chance trying it out. Thanks.
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome!
Lisa Huff says
Those hand written family recipes are the best! Getting chilly here in the northeast so I think I’ll be needing this chili soon!
foodtasticmom says
They are the best memories. I’m glad you’re going to try it.
Emmeline says
No wonder you liked it as a kid, what kid doesn’t love sweet dinner! 😉 This version sounds more like something grown-up me would enjoy – will be a fun switch-up from my regular recipe.
foodtasticmom says
I know, right? I just couldn’t bring myself to add that much sugar now, remaking it for this blog post. Hopefully my Mom understands. 🙂
Beth says
This looks just like my Mom’s chili! I’m loving the idea of the Worcestershire sauce and the chipotle powder though. I can’t wait to try it.
foodtasticmom says
Thanks Beth!
Dave says
Great recipe! Identical to my moms. She does adda small can of tomato soup. Delicious!
foodtasticmom says
Thank you! It must have been published somewhere maybe back in the day…