Zippy Three-Bean Chili

Total Time

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 1 hour 20 min.

Makes

8 servings

Updated: Jan. 06, 2023
I use convenient canned pinto, black and great northern beans to speed preparation of my hearty three-bean chili. The one-dish meal has a thick consistency and peppy Tex-Mex flavor. —Agnes Hamilton, Scott Depot, West Virginia
Zippy Three-Bean Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
  • 1/2 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes and green chiles, undrained
  • 1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning
  • 1 can (15-1/2 ounces) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 8 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. In a large saucepan, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat until beef is no longer pink, 5-7 minutes, breaking beef into crumbles; drain. Add mushrooms and peppers; cook and stir until vegetables are almost tender, 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the water, tomatoes and taco seasoning.
  2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes. Add beans; simmer 30 minutes longer. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.

Three-Bean Chili Tips

Can you use other kinds of beans to make Three-Bean Chili?

Kidney beans always work well in chili recipes. Feel free to mix in other vegetables, too, such as diced jalapenos or frozen corn. You can also use a mixture of ground beef and bulk sausage to give the chili a little extra flavor.

What can you serve with Three-Bean Chili?

Serve this chili with the classics: cornbread and?coleslaw. Or give your meal a southwestern spin with a side of tortilla chips and easy homemade queso.

How do you store Three-Bean Chili?

Store this chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it in resealable freezer bags or containers for up to 3 months. Here's? how to freeze your favorite soups without freezer burn.

—Elizabeth Harris, Taste of Home contributing writer

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 274 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 773mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 8g fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1.500 starch, 1 vegetable.