Mels Diner Chili Recipes

MEL'S DINER CHILI RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• Brown the beef, onion and garlic. Drain and rinse under hot water. Add all the other ingredients. Simmer for a few hours or toss it in the crockpot and cook it on low for 5 or 6 hours. I didn't have much time, so mine only cooked 45 minutes or so. It was still yummy.

SOUTHSIDE CHILI

Steps:

• For Southside Chili: In a large pot over medium-high heat and the oil. When the oil is hot add the beef and cook until brown. Stir in the tomatoes, onion, garlic and half of the spices. Simmer, covered, over low heat for 2 hours, stirring often. Add the remaining half of the spices and cook, covered, for 1 more hour. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve.

CLASSIC SLOW COOKER CHILI

Steps:

• In a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions, bell peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes. Add the chili powder and cumin and stir to combine. Cook for another minute or so.
• Add the ground beef or turkey, salt and pepper to the skillet and cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces, until the ground beef or turkey is no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
• Scoop the mixture into a round 6-quart (or similar size) slow cooker. Stir in the brown sugar, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans.
• Cover and cook 8-9 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high. (The chili will thicken slightly the longer it stands after cooking.) Add additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.
• Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and any other chili toppings you like.

MY MOM'S CLASSIC CHILI

Steps:

• In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet, brown the ground beef (or turkey) with the onion and salt until the meat is cooked through. Drain excess grease, if needed.
• In a large pot, combine the pinto beans, tomato juice, tomato sauce, and ketchup. Stir in the bay leaves, water, garlic salt, pepper, chili powder, cayenne, cumin and brown sugar.
• Add the cooked meat/onion mixture.
• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring, then reduce the heat and simmer, partially covered, over medium-low heat for an hour (or up to 4-5 hours), stirring occasionally. Add additional salt and pepper to taste, if needed, before serving.

MEL'S CHILI SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in non-aluminum pot (recipe is acidic).
• Simmer ingredients over medium heat, stirring occasionally and slightly mashing vegetables as they cook.
• Cook until thickened (about an hour).
• Place in 1-pint (1/2-liter) canning jars.
• Let stand, cool, and seal using hot-water canning method.
• NOTE: Can place in 1/2-pint (1/4-liter) jars for smaller sloppy joe recipe using 1-lb ground beef.