Best 3 Mels Diner Chili Recipes

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**Mel's Diner Chili: A Classic American Dish with Variations for Every Palate**

Mel's Diner Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish that has been enjoyed by Americans for decades. With its rich, savory broth, tender meat, and variety of spices, it's no wonder why this classic recipe remains a favorite among chili lovers. In this article, we'll explore the origins of Mel's Diner Chili and provide three delicious variations that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer a traditional beef chili, a vegetarian chili packed with beans and vegetables, or a spicy chili with a kick, we've got you covered. So, grab a bowl and get ready to indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience!

Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!

MY MOM'S CLASSIC CHILI



My Mom's Classic Chili image

Provided by Mel

Categories     Soups Stews Chilis

Time 1h30m

Number Of Ingredients 15

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

Steps:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Add the cooked meat/onion mixture.
  • 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.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving, Calories 597 kcal, Carbohydrate 69 g, Protein 37 g, Fat 21 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Cholesterol 67 mg, Sodium 903 mg, Fiber 20 g, Sugar 12 g

MEL'S DINER CHILI RECIPE - (4.2/5)



Mel's Diner Chili Recipe - (4.2/5) image

Provided by Susan52

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 lbs ground beef (I used 1 lb. pork sausage + 1 lb. ground beef)
1 onion, chopped
2 cans tomato paste (6 oz cans)
6 tomato paste cans of water
1 clove garlic, minced
1 can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
2 packs low-sodium chili seasoning mix
1 can Fire Roasted tomatoes, undrained
salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Brown the beef, onion and garlic. Drain and rinse under hot water. Add all the other ingredients. Simmer for a few hours or toss it in the crockpot and cook it on low for 5 or 6 hours. I didn't have much time, so mine only cooked 45 minutes or so. It was still yummy.

CLASSIC SLOW COOKER CHILI



Classic Slow Cooker Chili image

Provided by Mel

Categories     Soups Stews Chilis

Time 9h20m

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
1 medium yellow onion (diced small)
1 medium red bell pepper (diced small)
4 medium garlic cloves (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, but delicious)
1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey (see note)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
2 cans (15-ounces each) light or dark kidney beans (rinsed and drained (see note))
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream

Steps:

  • In a large, 12-inch nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and add the onions, bell peppers and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes. Add the chili powder and cumin and stir to combine. Cook for another minute or so.
  • Add the ground beef or turkey, salt and pepper to the skillet and cook, breaking up the meat into small pieces, until the ground beef or turkey is no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Drain any excess grease.
  • Scoop the mixture into a round 6-quart (or similar size) slow cooker. Stir in the brown sugar, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beans.
  • Cover and cook 8-9 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high. (The chili will thicken slightly the longer it stands after cooking.) Add additional salt and pepper to taste if needed.
  • Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream and any other chili toppings you like.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving, Calories 352 kcal, Carbohydrate 37 g, Protein 21 g, Fat 14 g, SaturatedFat 5 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Sodium 674 mg, Fiber 11 g, Sugar 8 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Brown the ground beef and sausage in a large pot over medium-high heat until browned and crumbled.
  • Drain off any excess fat from the ground beef and sausage.
  • Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and jalapeƱo pepper to the pot and cook until softened.
  • Stir in the chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
  • Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth to the pot and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, and chopped cilantro.

Conclusion:

This Mel's Diner Chili is a hearty, flavorful, and easy-to-make chili that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a great way to use up leftover ground beef or sausage. With its combination of spices and fresh ingredients, this chili is sure to be a hit with your family and friends. So next time you are looking for a delicious and comforting meal, give this Mel's Diner Chili a try.

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