Georgia Chili

keen5's Note:

I have tried many chili recipes, trying to find one that suits our family's taste. This is it! I found this in my 1970 Southern Living cookbook. My family doesn't like spicey chili, so I only add 2 teaspoons of chili powder. I have noted my other changes in the ingredients. I leave out the shortening to cut the fat and we aren't big on a lot of celery in our food, so I cut it down to one stalk. This is the only chili that I make now. Prep time is approximate. Servings are generous, so you may be able to serve more than six with this recipe. I freeze leftovers.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 35 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• salt and pepper
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons chili powder, divided
• 1 tablespoon shortening (I leave this out)
• 2 cups tomato juice
• 2 stalks celery, diced (I use one stalk)
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 can tomato (I use crushed)
• 1 can kidney bean (I use 2 cans)

Directions:

1. Season ground beef with salt and pepper to taste.
2. Brown beef and onion, mixed with 1 tablespoon chili powder, in the shortening.
3. Add tomato juice, celery, green pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons chili powder.
4. Simmer slowly for 45 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
5. (If mixture cooks down, add more tomato juice or water).
6. Add tomatoes and simmer 15 minutes longer; then add kidney beans and simmer a few minutes more or until beans are tender.

Reviews

[Roxygirl in Colorado]

I was looking for a chili recipe with tomato juice and came across yours. I only had ground turkey on hand, but read the previous reviewer used part turkey and had good luck. I used a can of pinto beans in tomato sauce and half can of black beans. This chili had a very good creamy texture that I credit to the tomato juice. I used Penzey brand mild taco seasoning. This was very comforting on our cool fall day!Thanks Keen, for posting. Roxygirl

[CindiJ]

Made this for my husband and son while I was gone helping DS2 & DIL. I used 1 lb. ground chuck and 1 lb. ground turkey, 2 cans pinto beans & omitted the shortening, otherwise made exactly as written. I thought this would be enough for a least 2 meals and maybe enough for chili dogs. I was wrong! They ate it in less than 2 meals! DH came home from work and the pan was empty; son loved it so much he just kept eating at it. LOL - I came home to hear: That Chili was AWESOME!! You have to make it again soon! Thanks for posting a recipe that I cannot wait to try again soon (so I can actually taste!). Updated 12/6/08 This has become my DH's favorite chili recipe. He now makes this on his own and yesterday was our 5th time since finding this recipe! DH is now adjusting and experimenting by adding stew meat to the ground beef. We have used just about every kind of canned beans and this is just a wonderful, wonderful recipe. Thanks again Keen5 for such a wonderful treat!