When it came time to make dinner this evening, I wanted comfort food. It was pouring outside and a warm, cozy meal sounded appealing.
I put on my pajamas, headed into the kitchen and got to work.
Hello, chili!
Tonight’s chili came together quickly and didn’t require too much work. We let it simmer on the stovetop while doing some stuff around the house, but other than waiting for the chili to soak up all the yummy spices, this dish didn’t require too much time to make.
Simple Summer Chili
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can low sodium kidney beans, drained
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
Directions
- Pour olive oil into a large pot on medium heat and add onion and zucchini
- Allow vegetables to sauté until onion becomes opaque, about 5 minutes
- Add ground beef to vegetables and stir until meat is browned
- Drain any excess fat from pan before adding remaining ingredients
- Allow to simmer on low for approximately 45 minutes
- Enjoy topped with shredded cheese, plain Greek yogurt, sour cream or simply as is
Now that our bellies are full of chili, Ryan and I have plans to be lazy and watch a movie. That’s what you’re supposed to do when it’s raining like crazy outside, right?
See ya in the morning!
pajamas, a movie, and chili make for the perfect rainy night in my opinion! pinning that recipe! i looove chili!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
I JUST made chili too! No beans, though… and cocoa makes a great addition
Brie @ Coxswain’s Dilemma
Yum! This looks delicious!
Kelsey
Awesome, I’m not the only one who puts zucchini in chili.
(Or butternut squash, which is even better come fall.)
Victoria (District Chocoholic)
Yum chili! I’m currently looking for a good vegetarian chili recipe.
Shay @ Whine Less, Breathe More
you must have been reading my mind!! tonight as i was cooking dinner i literally said: “i am really craving chili!!!” HA! did you use any vegetable or chicken broth to make it soupy?!?
Anne@ LoveMintChocolateChip
I haven’t had chili in so long! I’m not the biggest fan, unless it’s topped with copious amounts of cheese, sour cream or greek yogurt, and crumbled up tortilla chips. Makes it awesome
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles
I had to chuckle when I saw your post about chili… I just got home a little while ago from a sweaty workout at my local gym…and it’s 95 degrees here today…and I come in the door to my sweet husband cooking…..yep, chili! After I cooled off, it was actually a nice change to have chili in the middle of the summer.
Brenda
it’s raining here too! We had comfort food too– pasta
Rachel
You’re so lucky to be getting rain. We NEED a lot of it here in the midwest! Been over 100 for the last several weeks.
Beks
My #1 comfort food has to be grilled cheese or brownies
Amy
I thought about making chili tonight as I was craving it too, but I backed out.. I wish I hadn’t!
Jessica @ New Girl, New City
Oooh we love chili, a summer chili would be just what the weather ordered
Julie
I jsut bought beans today for some chili this week. Even if it is 100 degrees outside, oh well!
Lindsay @ FuelMyFamily
Do you have any suggestion for workouts for thighs and hips? I do cardio 3x a week and also do weight training. However, when I do weight training for legs I do a lot of lunges, squats, calve raises, leg press, and hip abductor machines… But I never feel like my hips and inner thighs are targeted to be slimmer when doing them. Any suggestions on a specific move that would be good to add to a leg circuit?!
Thanks!
Steph
Lucky you are getting rain!!
We haven’t had any in awhile where I live
Fall needs to hurry up and get here!
MegS
I was just craving chili today but thought I’d be nuts to actually make it in July. Thanks for making me feel less crazy : )
Danica @ It’s Progression
If only we could get some rain I would be THRILLED!! I have a feeling it will be several more months before chili seems appetizing but when it does I am coming back for this recipe. It looks delicious!!
Suzanne @ Fit Minded Mom
I miss the rain… I know that sounds strange during summer, but it’s been so hot! I’d love for one day of stay-in and cuddle weather. I’m going to have to save this chili recipe for that day!!
@pluvk
Looks delicious! Getting a crock pot when I move into my new place in September.. perfect recipe to let simmer all day when it gets cold here in CT
Eva @ committed2nutrition
Oh I LOVE chili! Enjoy your night
Annette@FitnessPerks
I recently stumbled across your blog when I was searching clean eating on google and I’m so glad i did! I am all the way from Australia and love reading about your healthy lifestyle each day. It is truly motivating and your recipes are great! I was just thinking this morning about how I could add chilli into my diet as i hear it is realllyyyyyyy good for you then I open up your page and this post is here! Freaky! Thank you thank you thank you, and keep up what you are doing!
Rebecca
so glad you found me. thanks for commenting, rebecca!
peanutbutterfingers
The only way to spend a rainy day in my opinion is with pajamas, hot chocolate, movies, and chilli, just so comforting!
We get so much rain where I live, so its pretty normal for us to have those rainy days.
Lisa
Lazy nights in should be a rainy day NECESSITY!
Khushboo
So funny I was thinking of making chili and cornbread for my bf tomorrow night but was worried it would be too hot. This sounds perfect. Thank you!
Georgia
And you’ve just convinced me that this chili recipe is perfect for our dinner tonight. I have all these ingredients already on hand-and I’m looking for new ways in eat our abundance of zucchinis yay!
Sarah
This chili looks and sounds great. It’s so comforting
Hope @ With A Side Of Hope
I love chili … I could care less what time of year it is! That’s what air conditioning is for … right??
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
This looks great Julie! Isn’t this rain crazy? It’s actually my favorite time of year – I feel so cozy with all these storms!
Just a quick note – you left out the number of minutes on step 2 of the Directions
Looks yummy – will add to my arsenal!
xoxo
Cheri
Cheri @ The Watering Mouth
ooh! thanks! just updated it.
peanutbutterfingers
The zucchini is a great addition. Can’t wait to make this one!
Ross
Looks yummy! I am missing the rain for sure! We are in the middle of a terrible drought. When we do get a good storm, I plan to open every window in the house, grab a blanket and a book and just relax. Maybe I’ll even make some chili =)
Amanda @ Eat More Rabbit Food
I think summer has gone on vacation where I live, so I’m definitely going to be making this one…thanks!
Kat
How big of a can of diced tomatoes do you use? The large selection of canned tomatoes at the store intimidates me.
Jen
just made this and its delicious! thanks Julie!!
Jen
I love your simple uses of spices- I’ll have to try this sometime..my last attempt used like 7 different spices haha.
Bek @ Crave
I stumbled upon your website via pinterest and i love looking at your recipes. I’m defiantly going to make this but i was wondering if you knew about how many servings it makes? I’m probably going to leave the meat out add more beans and make a veggie chili for just me while my boyfriend makes his own chili.
MarthaLoraine
Right now chili is the one thing I’m missing and it just seems too hot for it. Love adding in the zucchini.
Heather (Where’s the Beach)
just made this for dinner and eating it as I type…it’s so good! thanks so much for the great idea and recipe!
Anna
Making this right. It’s been raining all day and this seem like the perfect comfort food!
Jchokie
Zucchini in Chilli???????????? I don’t think so. (Not me) Please sub jalapeno and/or Cilantro and fresh garlic.
Thom