Budget Busting (And Healthy) Chili Recipe

Name: Budget Busting (And Healthy) Chili
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 red onion, roughly chopped; 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1 garlic clove, crushed; ½ teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper; ¼ teaspoon white pepper; 2 carrots, finely diced; 1 eggplant, finely chopped; 2 celery ribs, finely sliced; 1 (425 g) can lentils, drained (or 1 cup cooked lentils); 350 g beef mince; 1 (425 g) can tomatoes; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 cup water; 1 beef stock cube

Servings: persons

1 red onion, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 garlic clove, crushed
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon white pepper
2 carrots, finely diced
1 eggplant, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, finely sliced
1 (425 g) can lentils, drained (or 1 cup cooked lentils)
350 g beef mince
1 (425 g) can tomatoes
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup water
1 beef stock cube

1
Saute the onion and garlic in the oil until fragrant.
2
Add spices and stir.
3
Add the carrots, eggplant and celery.
4
Saute until the vegetables are just starting to soften.
5
Add lentils and mince.
6
Stir well, breaking up the meat, until the mince is well browned.
7
You can drain off remaining fat at this point by pouring the mix into a sieve and pressing with the back of the spoon you were stirring with, but don't bother with this if you're not worried about calories too much.
8
Add all remaining ingredients, mushing up the stock cube against the side of the pan.
9
Reduce heat and simmer for about 30-40 minutes.
10
Serve alongside steamed greens, cornbread, on top of corn chips, as a pasta sauce, over rice, topped with guacamole - or just in a bowl!

350

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Feel free to swap in similar ingredients you already have on hand and adjust seasoning to taste.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

Saved locally in your browser — visible only to you.

How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: 1 red onion, roughly chopped, 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1 garlic clove, crushed, ½ teaspoon cumin, and more.

Yes, Budget Busting (And Healthy) Chili falls under the Soups & Stews category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Budget Busting (And Healthy) Chili

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions