Beef and Barley Chili

Submitted by Nif_H

"The barley adds a nice touch to this chili and allows you to stretch your beef farther. It absorbs flavours and adds a nutty chewiness while adding fibre. Try to use products with low or no salt. This healthy recipe is from Alberta Health Services. Enjoy!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 30mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 1 lb lean or extra lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 small red or yellow pepper, chopped
• 3 -4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomatoes (diced, whole or stewed)
• 1 cups cooked red kidney beans or (19 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14 ounce) can baked beans
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 cup broth (beef, chicken or vegetable) or 1 cup tomato juice
• 1⁄2 cup pearl or pot barley (pot barley takes longer to cook)
• 2 -4 tablespoons chili powder, to taste
• 1 tablespoon cocoa (optional)
• pepper

directions

1. In a large pot, cook the beef and onion in a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat for 5-8 minutes, breaking up with a spoon, until the onions are soft and the meat is no longer pink. Add the peppers and garlic and cook for a few more minutes, until soft.
2. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low, cover and cook for about an hour, stirring occasionally, until reduced and thick.
3. Serve immediately or cool, then refrigerate for a day or two until ready to enjoy.

Reviews

[Linky]

I liked the flavor, but would change the proportions next time. I would only use half the amount of tomatoes and double the barley. The barley gave it such an interesting texture - I wish there had been more of it! I used the tomato juice rather than beef broth and I will go with broth next time - that would add some saltiness, too! (I had to add salt). I did not use the cocoa option. I questioned the use of baked beans, but in retrospect, the sugar in the beans probably offset some of the tomatoes' acidity. I'll be trying this again! made for SWT2018

 

[Deantini]

We had mixed reviews around the table; 2 dislikes, 1 ok and 1 loved it. I found that the salsa added a slightly sour note. I personally like the pearl barley addition to this chili and I found the flavour ok.

 

[Sydney Mike]

Followed the list of ingredients, using the beef broth this time around, along with 4 cloves of garlic but just 1 tablespoon of chili powder! Even included the cocoa, & the resulting chili was very, very satisfying! Great combo of flavors, we thought! Another time I'd like to make enough to freeze as I often do that with other chili recipes that I make! Thanks for sharing this one! [Tagged & made in Please Review My Recipe]