Making chili with fresh tomatoes is a great way to use up an overabundance of garden produce. Ground beef, sausage, and plenty of chili spices add so much flavor to this chili!
It makes a hearty and satisfying meal, and it is so easy to whip up.
My family doesn’t always love chili, but they gobbled this right up. It’s especially tasty topped with sour cream and cheese. And of course, you can’t go wrong serving homemade cornbread on the side.
HOW TO MAKE CHILI WITH FRESH TOMATOES
- PREP – Dice the onion. Wash the tomatoes and green pepper. Dice the green pepper. Crush or finely dice the tomatoes.
- SAUTE – In a large soup pot, cook the hamburger, sausage, and onion over medium-high heat until the meat is completely browned. Drain off any fat with paper towels.
- COMBINE – Add the spices, salt, pepper, and garlic. Cook for one minute. Add the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
- SIMMER – Simmer, uncovered, for 50-60 minutes until it is as thick as you like.
- SERVE – Chili is best served hot with your favorite toppings. We like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, and tortilla chips.
Storing leftover chili
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this chili is even better the next day! Let it cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will last for 4-5 days.
You can reheat the leftovers in a bowl in the microwave. (Use this awesome food cover to prevent splatters.) It can also be heated up in a saucepan on the stove top.
You can also freeze the chili. After you chill it, transfer it to a freezer-safe container or heavy ziplock bag. It will keep in the freezer for up to six months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator.
CHILI VARIATIONS:
- You can use any type of beans you like. Pinto beans are a great sub for the black beans.
- For extra spicy chili, you can add diced jalapeno peppers, red pepper flakes, or even a little bit of cayenne pepper.
- If you prefer, you can use ground chicken or ground turkey in place of the pound of ground beef.
- Out of beef bouillon or broth? You can use chicken broth in a pinch.
What to serve with chili:
- Sweet Corn Muffins
- One Hour Rolls
- Italian White Bread
- Yeast Biscuit Recipe
- Bacon and Cheese Rolls
- Jalapeno Cornbread Recipe
- Best Side Salad
Chili Recipe with Fresh Tomatoes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound Jimmy Dean pork sausage
- 1 onion diced
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup water
- 1 beef bouillon cube I used Wyler’s
- 1 Tbsp worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 2 pounds fresh ripe tomatoes crushed or diced (about 4 cups)
- 1 green pepper diced
- 1 15 oz can red kidney beans drained
- 1 15 oz can black beans drained
Instructions
- In a large pot, cook the ground beef, sausage, and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is completely browned. Drain off excess fat with paper towels.
- Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, pepper, and garlic. Saute for one minute, or until fragrant.
- Stir in the water, bouillon, Worcestershire, brown sugar, crushed tomatoes, and diced green bell peppers. Add the beans.
- Bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Chili thickens as it simmers, so cook it until it is the desired consistency. We like ours thick, so I cook it for the full 60 minutes.
- Garnish with sour cream, cheese, and green onions if desired.
Notes
- I like to use a food processor to coarsely mash my tomatoes, but you can dice them instead.
- Feel free to use a cup of beef broth in place of the bouillon and water.
Nutrition
Next time you need something easy and hearty on the menu, give this homemade chili recipe a try. It is pure comfort food that the whole family will devour!
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