Spend with Pennies Chili Recipe: Budget-Friendly & Delicious

The Spend with Pennies chili recipe is a popular budget-friendly homemade chili featuring ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices that serves 6-8 people for under $10. This easy-to-follow recipe has gained widespread popularity for its perfect balance of flavor and affordability, making it ideal for family dinners, meal prep, and cold-weather comfort food.

When searching for affordable, satisfying meals that don't compromise on flavor, the Spend with Pennies chili recipe consistently ranks among the top choices for home cooks. Created by the popular food blog Spend with Pennies, this hearty chili combines pantry staples with fresh ingredients to deliver restaurant-quality results without breaking the bank.

Why This Budget Chili Recipe Stands Out

Unlike many chili recipes that require specialty ingredients or hours of simmering, the Spend with Pennies version achieves maximum flavor with minimal effort and cost. The recipe cleverly uses affordable ground beef as its protein base while incorporating kidney beans and pinto beans for added texture and nutrition. What makes this particular chili recipe special is its signature spice blend that creates depth without overwhelming heat—perfect for family palates.

Food economists have noted that this chili recipe costs approximately $8.50 to make from scratch, translating to less than $1.50 per serving. This represents significant savings compared to restaurant chili, which typically costs $12-$18 per serving. The recipe's flexibility also allows for ingredient substitutions based on seasonal availability and sales, making it adaptable to fluctuating food prices.

Essential Ingredients for Authentic Flavor

The magic of this spend with pennies chili recipe lies in its carefully balanced ingredients. While some budget recipes sacrifice quality for cost savings, this version maintains integrity through smart ingredient choices:

Ingredient	Quantity	Budget-Saving Tip
Ground beef (85% lean)	1.5 lbs	Buy family packs and freeze in portions
Onion, diced	1 large	Use yellow onions for best flavor-to-cost ratio
Garlic, minced	3 cloves	Buy whole heads instead of pre-minced
Crushed tomatoes	28 oz can	Store brand offers same quality as name brands
Red kidney beans	2 cans (15 oz each)	Rinse to reduce sodium by 40%
Chili seasoning	3 tbsp	Make your own blend to save 30%

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Follow these straightforward steps to create the perfect spend with pennies chili recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort:

1. Brown 1.5 pounds of ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking into small pieces as it cooks
2. Add one diced onion and three minced garlic cloves, cooking until translucent (about 5 minutes)
3. Stir in 3 tablespoons of chili seasoning, 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes, two 15-ounce cans of kidney beans (drained and rinsed), and one 15-ounce can of pinto beans
4. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover
5. Simmer for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours for deeper flavor development)
6. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed before serving

Proven Cooking Techniques for Better Results

While the basic spend with pennies chili recipe is simple, implementing these chef-recommended techniques elevates your results significantly:

• The Maillard Reaction Matters: Take time to properly brown your ground beef—this creates complex flavor compounds that simmering alone cannot achieve
• Layer Your Spices: Add half your chili seasoning when browning meat, the rest during simmering for more dimensional flavor
• Acid Balance: A splash of apple cider vinegar (1-2 teaspoons) added at the end brightens flavors without making the chili taste sour
• Texture Control: For thicker chili, mash some beans against the pot side; for thinner, add beef broth gradually

Versatile Serving Options for Every Occasion

This budget-friendly chili adapts beautifully to various serving styles. The traditional spend with pennies chili recipe serves 6-8 as a main course, but you can extend servings by incorporating these cost-effective additions:

• Top with shredded cheddar cheese (1/4 cup per serving) for added protein
• Serve over cooked rice or quinoa to stretch portions further
• Add a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt for creaminess
• Garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions for color and freshness
• Pair with cornbread for a complete meal under $2 per serving

Smart Storage and Reheating Methods

One of the best features of this spend with pennies chili recipe is how its flavor improves with time. Proper storage ensures you maximize both taste and value:

• Cool completely before storing to prevent condensation
• Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 5 days
• Freeze in portion-sized containers for up to 3 months
• Reheat gently on stove with a splash of water to restore consistency
• Flavor tip: Chili often tastes better the second day as flavors meld

Adaptable Variations for Dietary Needs

The beauty of this spend with pennies chili recipe lies in its adaptability. You can easily modify it to accommodate various dietary preferences without significantly increasing costs:

• Vegan Version: Substitute ground beef with textured vegetable protein (TVP) and use vegetable broth
• Low-Sodium Option: Use no-salt-added beans and tomatoes, and reduce seasoning by 25%
• Slow Cooker Method: After browning meat, transfer everything to slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours
• Instant Pot Adaptation: Use sauté function for browning, then pressure cook for 15 minutes
• Extra Protein Boost: Add one can of black beans or 1 cup of cooked lentils

Maximizing Value from Your Chili Ingredients

Smart shoppers can reduce the cost of this spend with pennies chili recipe even further with these practical strategies:

• Buy ground beef on sale and freeze in 1.5-pound portions
• Use store-brand canned goods which typically cost 20-30% less
• Make your own chili seasoning blend from pantry staples
• Double the recipe and freeze half for future meals (saves time and energy costs)
• Use leftover chili as taco filling, baked potato topping, or omelet ingredient

How can I make spend with pennies chili recipe even more budget-friendly?

To maximize savings, buy ground beef when it's on sale and freeze in portions, use store-brand canned goods which cost 20-30% less, make your own chili seasoning blend from pantry staples, and double the recipe to freeze half for future meals. Using beans as a partial meat substitute also reduces costs while adding nutrition.

What's the most cost-effective way to store leftovers of this chili recipe?

Cool the chili completely, then portion into airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Freezing in single-serving portions allows you to thaw only what you need, reducing waste. Glass containers are most durable for repeated use, though BPA-free plastic works well for freezing.

Can I use different types of beans in the spend with pennies chili recipe?

Absolutely. The recipe works well with various bean combinations. You can substitute or supplement kidney and pinto beans with black beans, cannellini beans, or even chickpeas. Different beans offer varying textures and nutritional profiles while maintaining the chili's hearty quality. Just maintain the same total quantity of beans (about 3 cups total).

How long should I simmer spend with pennies chili for best results?

For optimal flavor development, simmer the chili for at least 30 minutes. However, extending the simmer time to 1.5-2 hours allows flavors to meld more completely. If using a slow cooker, cook on low for 6-8 hours. The longer cooking time doesn't significantly increase energy costs but dramatically improves depth of flavor.

What are the most affordable toppings for spend with pennies chili?

The most budget-friendly toppings include shredded cheddar cheese (buy in blocks and shred yourself), green onions (grow your own from scraps), plain Greek yogurt (cheaper than sour cream), and fresh cilantro (buy one bunch and freeze extras). Cornbread is also an economical side that stretches the meal further while adding complementary flavor.