This is a chili that I make when *gasp* we don’t have a bean in the house. My husband loves Wendy’s Chili, but since I can easily make no-bean chili at home, he doesn’t have to get it from a fast food place.
Since chili is one of those things you make with scraps of this and pieces of that, I’m pretty sure Wendy’s puts their extra burgers in their chili. So, why not try to recreate it at home, but without the beans?
I make sure to serve with sides (sour cream, crumbled-up crackers, cornbread, etc), and piping hot. It’s a great recipe for “game day” since some people don’t care for beans in their chili. Some ingredients need a bit more explaining, so see the notes at the end of the recipe.
No Bean Chili
Serves 4 (triple the recipe for game day!)
1 pound ground meat(beef or turkey)
1 medium onion, diced
1 can(15oz or 29oz) tomato sauce*
1 bottle(16oz mild or medium) salsa*
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons cumin
1 piece of chocolate(dark or milk)
a pinch of cinnamon
dash salt
dash pepper
Brown meat and onion in a skillet over medium-high heat. Make sure to break the meat into small pieces. Once it is all browned and the onions are somewhat translucent, sprinkle with salt and pepper and turn off the heat.
Place the meat/onion mixture in your slow cooker. Top with salsa, tomato sauce, chili powder and cumin. Mix well.
Cover with a lid and put on low for at least 3 hours. This can go up to 8 or 9 hours in the slow cooker, so this is a great meal to turn on before you leave for work.
Once you are ready to eat, turn off the slow cooker, and add the cinnamon and chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is fully melted.
Serve immediately.
*If you like your chili thin like a soup, use the 29oz can of tomato sauce, but if you like it chunky, only use the 15 or 16 oz can. If you like heat with your chili, use medium salsa. If you like to control the heat in your chili by adding your own amount of hot sauce or cayenne after, use the mild and then add the heating ingredient of your choice. The medium salsa won’t make it spicy right off the bat, but it will build up the heat. The chocolate helps cut the heat a bit so it doesn’t come full force at you.
You are a goddess! I’ve been looking for a good, no bean-less chili recipe with full-flavor. I’ll be making this for dinner Friday.
Have you ever made this with beans?? does it freeze well?? I’ve been buying cans of chili and at almost a dollar a can I want something more economical. it sound really good 🙂
Miss Meg(the good one lol!), no I haven’t made it with beans. I have another recipe for chili with beans. It’s of course similar, but more spice and no salsa or chocolate. This one is kick butt, if I do say so myself lol. Give it a try and see if you like it better than the canned. If you must, add in a cup of beans to it. It couldn’t hurt :oP
Chi-town(lol) and Mama, so glad I could help! I just hope it turns out well for you two :o)
This recipe is going to be a hit with my hubby. He’s a NO-BEANS Chili man. I’m going to have to make this soon. Thanks!
I made this last night and it was awesome!! Thank You!!!
Best chili ever made
Thanks Edward!
From all the comments, this sounds really good. I’m curious “has anyone made this without the chocolate”? I can’t image incorporating chocolate in this recipe.
I felt the same way, Cynthia, but the chocolate really does make a difference. It’s not a sweet addition, it’s more of an additional layer of flavor.