Curl up with a big bowl of chili con carne for a satisfying meal. When you want a hearty beef chili on a budget, try out this Beef and Lentil Chili. The lentils add extra protein for a budget-friendly meal. Plus picky eaters wouldn’t be able to tell there are lentils in here because they blend in with the ground beef.
When I think of cold-weather comfort food, I think of chili. There is just something about a big bowl of chili that warms your heart and soul. There are a million different ways to make and serve chili. This lentil chili with beef is my go-to recipe when I want to go light on the meat and still have a hearty bowl. (When I want a sweet and smokey chili with beans, I turn to this Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili. )
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Great Bowl of Beef Chili
Chili is one of those dishes that is good the first day you make it or “It’s GREAT” (think Tony the Tiger) when refrigerated and eaten the next day. All those flavors marry and combine to create an explosion of flavor.
Make this recipe in two ways; on the stovetop or in a crockpot. The first version takes about 2 hours and the second one 6-8 hours. I prefer the stovetop method. I will often make this beef chili the night before and place it in the fridge until the next day. Then just reheat on the stovetop and top with shredded cheese and sour cream. Mmmmmm!
Beef and Lentil Chili
You can create a meatless chili by substituting the ground beef for an additional 1/2 cup of lentils.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 5 poblano peppers or 2 bell peppers, deseeded and chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 cups of fresh diced tomatoes or 2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes
- 3 cups water
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme, crumbled
- 1 1/2 cups dried brown or red lentils
- 2 cups pinto or chili beans, cooked without liquid
- Sour Cream (optional)
- Cheddar Cheese (optional)
- Green onions, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until beef is brown about 5 minutes. Crumble the beef as you cook.
- Drain all but 2 tablespoons of grease from the pan.
- Add onion and peppers. Sauté over medium-high until onions are tender, about 8 minutes.
- Add garlic and saute an additional 1 minute or until fragrant.
Stove Top Method
- Return browned beef and the remaining to the pot. Stir to combine.
- Cover and simmer until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 hours.
- Serve with cheese, sour cream, and/or green onions.
Crock Pot Method
- Add all ingredients into a crock pot. Set on low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve in bowls topped with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and/or green onions.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 312Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 873mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 13gSugar: 13gProtein: 24g
Vegetarian Lentil Chili Recipe
If you’re a vegetarian or just want to save some money, eliminate the beef all together for a meatless chili. Add an additional 1/2 cup of dry lentils to the original recipe. The lentils give a great texture and flavor, so you’ll never miss the meat.
Feel free to add other legumes such as kidney beans or black beans as well.
Always taste test the chili and add salt and pepper to taste.
Now a bowl of chili is delicious, but there are so many other ways you can enjoy it. I ALWAYS make a huge pot so I can enjoy chili one of these other ways too.
- Chili topped baked potatoes
- Chili Cheese fries (baked potato wedges at 400 degrees F for 45 minutes)
- Chili Macaroni and cheese
- Chili Spaghetti
- Cheese Enchiladas topped with chili instead of enchilada sauce
- Chili Pie (Chili topped with cornbread and baked)
Best Side Dishes for Chili
Lentil Beef Chili is the epitome of comfort food in our house. It’s easy to make a complete meal with a few side dishes. Keep it simple with tortilla chips and salsa, a baked potato, or a side salad. Personally, I love the Nebraska tradition of serving chili with cinnamon rolls.
What’s your favorite way to serve chili? Do you have favorite toppings? Share your pics with me on social media!
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Oh yeah you know I’ll be making this (the veggie version) for dinner soon! thanks for the idea! And I love chili in a baked potato as well!