3 Grow Fit Chili Recipes for National Chili Day

By Nicole Spain, Registered Dietitian

On chilly days there is nothing better than coming home and warming up with a warm bowl of chili. It's not only tasty, but it can also be heart healthy! Using lean ground turkey or chicken in place of beef will decrease the fat content, and adding beans and veggies is a great way to add vitamins and fiber. Both our Turkey Chili and Vegetarian Bean Chili are popular choices on our Grow Fit menus. The children also love Chili Mac, which is a combination of chili beans and whole grain macaroni. Get all three recipes below!

Turkey Chili

Serves 6

Ingredients:

1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained

1 ¼ lb lean ground turkey

2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes, drained

1 15-oz can tomato sauce

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp chili powder

Cooking Instructions:

1. Brown ground turkey over medium heat and drain.
2. Combine ground turkey, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and seasoning in a large pot. Mix well. Bring to a boil.
3. Reduce heat; cover. Simmer slowly, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 40 minutes.
4. Stir in beans. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until hot and internal temperature is 165 degrees.
5. Add additional seasonings as desired.

Vegetarian Bean Chili

Ingredients:

2 15-oz cans kidney beans, drained

2 15-oz cans pinto beans, drained

2 15-oz cans diced tomatoes

1 15-oz can tomato sauce

1 oz taco seasoning

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp chili powder

Instructions:

1. Combine beans and seasonings in a large pot.
2. Stir in tomatoes and tomato sauce. Mix well.
3. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer slowly, stirring occasionally, until thickened (about 30-60 minutes) and internal temperature reads 145 degrees.

Chili Mac

Serve 4-6

Ingredients:

3 15-oz cans kidney beans, drained

½ lb macaroni noodles (whole grain)

29 oz tomato sauce

½ tsp chili powder

1/8 tsp cumin   

1 C cheddar cheese, shredded

Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for convection). Grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
2. Mix beans, tomato sauce, and spices in a large bowl.
3. Cook pasta according to package directions.
4. Combine bean mixture and cooked pasta, mix well. Pour into the 9 x 13 pan.
5. Top with cheddar cheese.
6. Bake for 20 minutes or until the center temperature reads 165 degrees.