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Homestead Chili Recipe

Hello Friends! There’s a chill in the air this morning, and that means it’s the perfect day to pull out one of our coziest family recipes—Homestead Chili. This hearty dish is a staple around here, especially during the fall and winter seasons, though we also love making it in the summer with fresh peppers and tomatoes from the garden. Today I’m using vegetables I preserved earlier this year, making it a frugal and satisfying pantry-friendly meal.

This recipe is packed with flavor from ground beef, sausage, taco seasoning, and just the right amount of spice—plus it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand. Whether you’re using a slow cooker or stovetop, this chili will fill your home with the smells of comfort food and your bellies with warmth.

You can find a printable recipe at the bottom of the post!

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Homestead Chili

This hearty Homestead Chili is a family favorite that simmers all day with ground beef, sausage, preserved or fresh garden vegetables, and pantry staples. Whether you’re making it on a chilly autumn day or using up a summer harvest, this flavorful chili is an easy, make-ahead dinner that fills hungry bellies and warms the soul.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American, Homestead
Keyword autumn chili, chili with sausage, garden chili, homestead chili, pantry meal, slow cooker chili, taco seasoning chili

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Cutting board
  • Chef’s knife
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Slow cooker or large soup pot
  • Measuring spoons
  • Can opener (if using store-bought canned goods)

Ingredients

  • 1 lb Ground beef
  • 1 lb Ground sausage
  • 1 Large onion, diced
  • 1 jar (15 oz) Kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 quart (or 24 oz) Tomato sauce
  • 2 large Green peppers, diced (or substitute banana/jalapeño peppers)
  • 2 pint jars (or 30 oz total) Diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp Salsa (mild or spicy, homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tbsp Taco seasoning
  • ½ cup Water

Instructions

  • Dice vegetables: Chop the onion and green peppers (fresh or thawed frozen).
  • Brown meat and onion: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, ground sausage, and diced onion together until fully browned. Drain any excess grease.
  • Transfer to pot: Move the browned meat and onions to a large soup pot or slow cooker.
  • Add remaining ingredients: Stir in kidney beans, tomato sauce, green peppers, diced tomatoes, salsa, taco seasoning, and water.
  • Slow cooker method: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–8 hours.
  • Stovetop method: Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce to low and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until peppers are tender.
  • Serve and enjoy: Spoon into bowls and top with shredded cheese, tortilla chips, or sour cream.

Notes

  • Seasonal flexibility: Use preserved, fresh, or frozen veggies based on the season.
  • Spice it up: For a spicier chili, use jalapeños or spicy salsa. For a mild version, use banana peppers and mild salsa.
  • Batch cook & freeze: This chili freezes well — store leftovers in airtight containers for future meals.
  • Serving ideas: Pair with cornbread or a slice of homemade bread for a complete meal.
Chili con carne

Serving Suggestions & Topping Ideas

Homestead Chili is incredibly versatile, which is why it makes frequent appearances on our meal plan. Here are a few of our favorite ways to serve it:

  • Top with shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream

  • Add crushed tortilla chips or cornbread crumbles for extra texture

  • Scoop with crackers or pair with a warm slice of homemade bread

  • Use leftovers for chili dogs, nachos, or baked potato toppings

You can also adjust the spice level to your family’s preferences—mild for the littles or extra jalapeños for the heat-lovers.

A True Family Favorite

This Homestead Chili recipe has earned its place at the top of our comfort food list. It’s frugal, flexible, and flavorful—just the way we like our meals around here.

We’d love to hear how your family enjoys their chili. Do you have a go-to topping or side dish? Let us know in the comments or tag us when you make it!

And as always, feel free to browse our full recipe archive for more cozy, homestead-tested meals perfect for every season.

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hello friends! i'm amanda

I’m here to share recipes and ideas to help others make their home a simple homemade homestead.

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