My Mom’s Classic Chili

For 12 servings, My Mom’s Classic Chili keeps the list centered on salt, to 2 1/2 pounds ground beef or lean ground turkey and cans. Set aside about 90 minutes.

• Yield 12 servings
• Ready in 90 minutes
• Prep 15 minutes
• Cook 75 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 medium (or 1 large yellow onions, diced)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 2 to 2 1/2 pounds ground beef or lean ground turkey
• 3 large cans (29-ounces each) pinto beans (rinsed and drained)
• 46 ounces tomato juice
• 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup water
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (plus more if you want the chili spicier)
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Add the cooked meat/onion mixture.
4. 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.

The pot thickens as it sits. Add a spoon of water if you reheat it.