15-Minute Chili: A Quick Pantry Meal with Canned Ground Beef
15-Minute Chili: A Quick Pantry Meal with Canned Ground Beef
Need dinner on the table quickly? This 15-minute chili is one of my favorite easy pantry meals, especially when I have home-canned ground beef waiting on the shelf.
There is no chopping meat, no waiting for ground beef to brown, and no need to let a pot of chili simmer all afternoon. Just open a few jars and cans, add everything to one pot, and you have a hearty, flavorful dinner in about 15 minutes.
This is also a great cantry recipe. If you’ve been building a canning pantry with foods your family actually eats, this is exactly the kind of meal those jars are meant for.
And if you don’t have home-canned ingredients, that’s completely fine. Store-bought canned beans, tomatoes, and even ground beef can be used instead.
Why You’ll Love This 15-Minute Chili
- It’s ready in about 15 minutes.
- It uses simple pantry ingredients.
- It’s a great way to use home-canned ground beef.
- Everything cooks in one pot.
- You can easily adjust the thickness and spice level.
- It’s an easy weeknight dinner when you don’t have much time to cook.
Ingredients for 15-Minute Chili
For this quick chili, you’ll need:
- 1 pint home-canned ground beef
- ½ pint home-canned beans or ½ can store-bought canned beans
- 1 (28-ounce) can Rotel
- 1 package refried beans
- 1 pint tomato juice or tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons your favorite chili seasoning blend
A Note About the Chili Seasoning
For this recipe, when I say ‘chili seasoning’ I mean one that is a blend of spices made for chili. I am not referring to just chili powder.
Of course, you can adjust the seasoning to your own taste.
How to Make 15-Minute Chili
1. Add to a Pot
Add the canned ground beef, beans, Rotel, tomato juice or sauce, and chili seasoning to a large pot.
Stir everything together.
2. Bring the Chili to a Boil
Cover the pot and bring the chili to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.
Once at a boil, remove the lid and add refried beans.
Because the meat and beans are already cooked, you’re really just heating everything through and giving the flavors a chance to come together.
3. Simmer Until Slightly Thickened
Once the chili comes to a boil, remove the lid and continue cooking for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The chili should thicken slightly as it cooks. It will also continue to thicken as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a little thinner than you’d like while it’s still piping hot.
How to Customize This Easy Chili Recipe
One of the best things about chili is how easy it is to make it your own.
Make It Thicker
If you prefer a thicker chili, you can add a little more refried beans or stir in some masa.
The refried beans are particularly helpful because they add both thickness and flavor.
Add More Beans
If your family loves beans, add more!
You can use whatever beans you have available in your pantry. Pinto, kidney, black, or other favorite beans can all work well.
Make It Thinner
If the chili is thicker than you prefer, simply add a little more tomato juice or tomato sauce until you reach the consistency you like.
Make It Spicier
For a spicier chili, use a hotter Rotel, add hot sauce, peppers, or seasonings like cayenne.
Chili is one of those recipes where you really don’t have to be afraid to adjust things.
What to Put on 15-Minute Chili
Now comes the fun part: the toppings!
Try your favorite combination of:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Tortilla chips
- Lime
- Cilantro
- Green onions
- Jalapeños
- Avocado
A little crunch, something creamy, and a bit of fresh flavor can turn a very simple bowl of chili into a really satisfying dinner.
Why Canned Ground Beef Makes Dinner So Fast
This is one of the reasons I love having home-canned meat on my shelves. When I have a jar of home-canned ground beef ready to go, I save a lot of time and cleanup.
That’s the beauty of preserving food for regular old everyday life. The goal isn’t just to have a pantry full of pretty jars (although really they do all look pretty). It’s to have food on hand that makes your life easier when you actually need it.
A little work up front means that later, dinner can come together in minutes.
If you’re interested in putting home-canned ground beef on your own shelves, you can read my guide on [How to Can Ground Beef].
More Ways to Use Canned Ground Beef
Once you have home-canned ground beef in your pantry, you’re not limited to chili.
It’s also useful for quick meals like:
- Sloppy Joes
- Cheeseburger macaroni
- Taco meat
- Beef vegetable soup
- Shepherd’s pie
- Beef enchiladas
This is one of the reasons I like preserving ingredients that we actually use in everyday meals. The goal is to make the pantry work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chili in 15 minutes?
Yes! This recipe comes together quickly because the meat and beans are already cooked. You’re combining the ingredients, heating them through, and allowing the chili to simmer briefly to thicken and develop flavor.
Can I use store-bought canned beans?
Yes. Store-bought canned beans work perfectly well in this recipe. Use whatever variety your family enjoys.
How can I make chili thicker?
You can add additional refried beans, use a little masa, or simply allow the chili to simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes.
Remember that chili will also thicken as it cools.
How can I make this chili spicier?
Try a hotter variety of Rotel, add hot sauce or chopped peppers, or increase the amount of chili seasoning.
What can I serve with chili?
Chili is great with tortilla chips, cornbread, crackers, or even a baked potato. And don’t forget the toppings!
A Quick Dinner From the Cantry
This 15-minute chili is one of the reasons I love preserving food.
Having jars of food on the shelf doesn’t mean every meal has to be complicated or that I need to spend hours in the kitchen. Sometimes the whole point of doing the work ahead of time is being able to make dinner really, really easy later.
Open a few jars, dump everything into a pot, and dinner is on the table.
That’s my kind of pantry meal.
Happy canning!
