Zesty Chili

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Servings: 10 Difficulty: Intermediate
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A hearty, vegetable-packed chili with zesty tomato flavors and tender ground meat
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This Zesty Chili is a robust and comforting dish that balances savory ground meat with a generous amount of fresh vegetables. The base features carrots, zucchini, and onions, which are sautéed until tender to add natural sweetness and texture. Combined with crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and aromatic garlic, this chili delivers a rich, tangy flavor profile that is both satisfying and wholesome. It is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd. The recipe yields a large batch, making it ideal for freezing leftovers or repurposing as a hearty pasta sauce. Simple ingredients come together in one pot for a delicious, home-style meal.

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Zesty Chili

Author: chefs-mate Cooking Method: , Cuisine: Courses:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Servings: 10 Calories: 782.0

Description

This Zesty Chili is a robust and comforting dish that balances savory ground meat with a generous amount of fresh vegetables. The base features carrots, zucchini, and onions, which are saut&# 195;©ed until tender to add natural sweetness and texture. Combined with crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and aromatic garlic, this chili delivers a rich, tangy flavor profile that is both satisfying and wholesome. It is perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd. The recipe yields a large batch, making it ideal for freezing leftovers or repurposing as a hearty pasta sauce. Simple ingredients come together in one pot for a delicious, home-style meal.

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Chop carrots, zucchini, and onions in a food processor or by hand until finely diced.
  2. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in a large 6-quart pot over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chopped vegetables to the pot.
  4. Sauté vegetables for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are almost tender.
  5. In a separate large pot or adding to the same if capacity allows, add 3 lbs of ground turkey (or beef) and 1 tbsp minced garlic.
  6. Cook the meat, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is no longer pink and fully browned.
  7. Stir the cooked vegetables into the meat.
  8. Add four 28-oz cans of crushed tomatoes (drain excess juice if desired for a thicker consistency), one 15-oz can of tomato sauce, and 2 tsp salt.
  9. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  10. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 10

Amount Per Serving
Calories 782.0kcal
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 27.9g43%
Saturated Fat 5.8g29%
Cholesterol 262.2mg88%
Sodium 10164.6mg424%
Total Carbohydrate 31.9g11%
Dietary Fiber 7.9g32%
Sugars 16.0g
Protein 97.0g194%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Note

This recipe yields approximately 22 cups of meat sauce. You can use the entire batch as a hearty spaghetti sauce or freeze portions for future chili meals.

To make a more traditional chili, take 7 cups of the prepared meat sauce and stir in 38 oz of kidney beans and at least 2 tablespoons of chili powder.

Top individual servings with shredded cheese and raw diced onions for added flavor and texture.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezing: Freeze portions for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Keywords: chili, ground turkey, ground beef, vegetable chili, carrots, zucchini, onions, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, garlic, one pot meal, freezer meal, hearty, protein, comfort food, batch cooking
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