Chili season OMG what to do

cthoma70
cthoma70 Posts: 228 Member
edited October 4 in Recipes
Ok, it's chili season and I love chili I need some LOW calorie chili recipes, I LOVE Major Cajone's Firehouse Chili(on web) so if anyone has any ideas to help with this thanks

Replies

  • Try ground chicken or turkey instead of beef, add more beans, add more veggies, don't add cheese or sour cream on top...look for small changes to cut calories!
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    And for god's sake don't feel the need to make your new awesome healthy chili into a "dog"
  • runnermama81
    runnermama81 Posts: 388 Member
    Venison makes good chili too and is lean:)
  • Kelly_Wilson1990
    Kelly_Wilson1990 Posts: 3,245 Member
    Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Great source of extra protein. I use half ground turkey and half ground beef.
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    A little sour cream is not going to hurt anything...and there is low fat sour cream out there....Add more beans, less meat...If you do up your own chili, go to the recipe maker here on mfp and place in your ingredients, how many it serves and you'll have your calorie count as well...
    And yes, using turkey instead of ground beef...make Chicken Chili(it's a white chili)....
  • Well, I always make my chili vegan... cuts down on the calories for sure. Also, spice it with some onion and garlic powder.... you wont even need to add cheese :)
  • DakotaKeogh
    DakotaKeogh Posts: 693 Member
    Try the vegetable meat substitute crumbles in place of the meat. I use the Morningstar brand ones. They're fine. Mix in black beans to the recipe. Add lots of veggies to the sauce base and simmer to break them down. Meat (or substitute) and beans can go in last.
  • SuzMac1981
    SuzMac1981 Posts: 708 Member
    Quinoa chili!!!!!! Just look at the LOW calories!!!!

    http://www.savvyvegetarian.com/vegetarian-recipes/quinoa-chili.php
  • muitobem
    muitobem Posts: 436 Member
    You can use Vegan Crumbles in place of the meat as well...I think they are made by Boca...
  • dimplzz
    dimplzz Posts: 456 Member
    Favorite Chili EVER! And it is even magnificant without the hotdogs in it!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/135726-there-was-a-post-titled-inspired-by-the-chili-dog-only?hl=recipe+for+hot+dog+chili&page=1#posts-1846569

    No-Buns-About-It Chili Dog Chili

    PER SERVING (1 cup): 129 calories, 1.25g fat, 834mg sodium, 22g carbs, 5g fiber, 8g sugars, 9.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

    That isn't a typo -- this is chili inspired by chili dogs. Take a bow, fellas! (Can hot dogs bow?)




    Ingredients:
    Two 14.5-oz. cans stewed tomatoes (Mexican-style, if available), not drained
    2 green bell peppers, chopped
    1 large onion, chopped
    1 large tomato, chopped
    7 hot dogs with about 40 calories and 1g fat each (like Hebrew National 97% Fat Free Beef Franks), chopped
    One 15-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
    1 1/2 tbsp. yellow mustard
    1/2 tsp. chili powder
    1/2 tsp. ground cumin
    1/8 tsp. garlic powder
    Optional: salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper
    Optional topping: shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

    Directions:
    Roughly chop the stewed tomatoes, reserving all juice. Set aside.

    Bring a large pot sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Add chopped bell peppers and onion. Stirring occasionally, cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add chopped (fresh) tomato, give mixture a stir, and continue to cook for 1 minute.

    Add stewed tomatoes and the reserved juice to the pot. Add all remaining ingredients and mix well. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil.

    Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low. Cover and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, removing the lid occasionally to stir.

    Remove pot from heat and remove the lid. Allow chili to thicken for about 20 minutes.

    If you like, season to taste with salt, black pepper, and/or cayenne pepper. Top each serving with cheese (optional), and enjoy!

    MAKES 8 SERVINGS
  • EmpressOfJudgment
    EmpressOfJudgment Posts: 1,162 Member
    I second the turkey chili idea. I also make mine with lots of beans and I add corn and sometimes zucchini. If you add vegetables and season it well, there is no need for cheese or sour cream. However, plain yogurt is a good substitute.

    I made that today for our football party and it was a big hit.

    p.s. I use A LOT of onions.
  • SuzMac1981
    SuzMac1981 Posts: 708 Member
    Favorite Chili EVER! And it is even magnificant without the hotdogs in it!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/135726-there-was-a-post-titled-inspired-by-the-chili-dog-only?hl=recipe+for+hot+dog+chili&page=1#posts-1846569

    No-Buns-About-It Chili Dog Chili

    PER SERVING (1 cup): 129 calories, 1.25g fat, 834mg sodium, 22g carbs, 5g fiber, 8g sugars, 9.5g protein -- POINTS® value 2*

    That isn't a typo -- this is chili inspired by chili dogs. Take a bow, fellas! (Can hot dogs bow?)




    Ingredients:
    Two 14.5-oz. cans stewed tomatoes (Mexican-style, if available), not drained
    2 green bell peppers, chopped
    1 large onion, chopped
    1 large tomato, chopped
    7 hot dogs with about 40 calories and 1g fat each (like Hebrew National 97% Fat Free Beef Franks), chopped
    One 15-oz. can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
    1 1/2 tbsp. yellow mustard
    1/2 tsp. chili powder
    1/2 tsp. ground cumin
    1/8 tsp. garlic powder
    Optional: salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper
    Optional topping: shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

    Directions:
    Roughly chop the stewed tomatoes, reserving all juice. Set aside.

    Bring a large pot sprayed with nonstick spray to medium-high heat on the stove. Add chopped bell peppers and onion. Stirring occasionally, cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add chopped (fresh) tomato, give mixture a stir, and continue to cook for 1 minute.

    Add stewed tomatoes and the reserved juice to the pot. Add all remaining ingredients and mix well. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil.

    Once boiling, reduce heat to medium low. Cover and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, removing the lid occasionally to stir.

    Remove pot from heat and remove the lid. Allow chili to thicken for about 20 minutes.

    If you like, season to taste with salt, black pepper, and/or cayenne pepper. Top each serving with cheese (optional), and enjoy!

    MAKES 8 SERVINGS

    834mg sodium.... yeesh!
  • Wynterbourne
    Wynterbourne Posts: 2,225 Member
    I recently stumbled across two recipes I'm dying to try, but just haven't gotten around to them yet.

    http://foodbeast.com/content/2011/10/08/tabascos-buffalo-chicken-chili/

    and

    http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/10/crockpot-turkey-white-bean-pumpkin.html
  • SarabellPlus3
    SarabellPlus3 Posts: 496 Member
    Well, I always make my chili vegan... cuts down on the calories for sure. Also, spice it with some onion and garlic powder.... you wont even need to add cheese :)
    Yep! I make my chili really healthy, no recipe, just whatever I have at the ready. Chili is one of the healthiest meals....... Until I decide it should just be a vehicle for cheese and Fritos. Lol THAT's the bad part!
  • I'm making chili right now for about 150 calories/cup. I used the extra lean ground sirloin (140 calories/3.5g fat - 4 ounces) and only one pound. This might sound gross, but I cut up one 1/2 yellow squash in small cubes to put in it for more filler/lower calories. It's really good though! Any time you can add veggies to a dish it lowers the calorie count and of course makes it more nutritional!

    Good luck!
  • cobracars
    cobracars Posts: 949 Member
    I compared the ground turkey to the lean 90/10 ground beef and I didn't see that big of a difference in the overall numbers, so I make mine with beef.
    Big part of mine is to use fresh chopped tomato instead of canned, and to start with dried beans instead of canned. By eliminating the store-bought canned stuff I cut WAY down on the sodium. I also used salt substitute instead of salt (potassium cloride vs sodium cloride). Same taste but zero sodium.
    If you want the recipe send me a note and I'll be happy to share it.
  • dragonfly74
    dragonfly74 Posts: 1,382 Member
    Chili can be fairly healthy. Lean beef, chili beans, stewed tomatoes, onion and green pepper. Add some chili powder and you are good to go. Chili isn't unhealthy here.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    Found some Sodium free canned tomatoes at Trader Joe's so I used those and bought some Pinto & Kidney beans in bulk and soaked those and tossed those in. Saved me a TON of sodium going the route of no cans. Also tossed in an onion, used Cayenne pepper (or any no sodium chili powder works too), and you can add meat or not...beans have a tons of protein in them.:wink:

    Have fun:drinker:

    ETA: There's several types of ground turkey, the 'everything from the the turkey' (ew) type, the all white turkey breast pkg (most expensive but lowest in fat and sodium I've found)., the other is also called 'ground turkey breast' but it says in small print on the pkg. that it's not just the breast meat but parts of the neck and ground wings etc. are also part of it when ground up. (was also reading a article on this on the Net..pretty eyeopening!).

    I used to get the .99 cent roll of ground turkey then I read about it and have never bought it since, yes it's far less costly but as someone above shared not very much difference between the fat in it and beef.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    oops, double post.
  • You can find some pretty kick butt healthy chili recipes on Eatingwell.com. I came across a turkey black bean chili that looks scrumdiddilyumptous.
  • Bake1
    Bake1 Posts: 15
    Ohhhhh Man !!! The leaves are falling off the trees, the wind is getting fiercer, the chill is in the air,frost has made it's way. Yep,,, it's chilli time for sure ! I can smell it,taste it, Mmmmmmmmmmm. All the great recipes on this post is makin me chilli CRAZY !!! Oh & bring on the HEAT Baby !!!! Thanks everyone !!!
  • Miggy52
    Miggy52 Posts: 164
    I made a pot of chili on Saturday using lean beef, kidney beans, black beans, crushed chilis, garlic, Onion, crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for a couple of hours it was some good.....if you dont like the beef then use ground chicken or turkey in place of..was very yummy....
  • Miggy52
    Miggy52 Posts: 164
    I made a pot of chili on Saturday using lean beef, kidney beans, black beans, crushed chilis, garlic, Onion, crushed tomatoes and let it simmer for a couple of hours it was some good.....if you dont like the beef then use ground chicken or turkey in place of..was very yummy....

    Forgot to note that I do rinse the kidney and black beans while they are still in the can....
  • dls06
    dls06 Posts: 6,774 Member
    Ingredients
    1 tablespoon canola oil
    2 cups diced yellow onion (about 2 medium)
    1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
    1 tablespoon minced garlic
    1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
    1 teaspoon dried oregano
    3 (15.8-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained 4 cups
    fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
    3 cups chopped cooked turkey or chicken
    1cup diced seeded plum tomato
    1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
    2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    8 lime wedges (optional) Preparation
    Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 10 minutes or until tender and golden. Add chili powder, garlic, and cumin; sauté for 2 minutes. Add oregano and beans; cook for 30 seconds. Add broth; bring to a simmer. Cook 20 minutes.
    Place 2 cups of bean mixture in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Return pureed mixture to pan. Add turkey, and cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat. Add diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper, stirring well. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired.
  • idauria
    idauria Posts: 1,037 Member
    I make mine with either 93% lean ground beef or turkey. I only added 1 tablespoon of light sour cream and a pinch of reduced fat cheddar. I like the idea of sticking veggies in there like zucchini. Only use a little oil when you are sauteing the meat and veggies. And yes, stay away from the fritos!
  • Breckgirl
    Breckgirl Posts: 606 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/376177-buffalo-chili

    Buffalo makes it extra lean but you could use sirloin or ground round.
  • jfrog123
    jfrog123 Posts: 432 Member
    Bump
  • jlayney
    jlayney Posts: 22
    This is the best chili recipe I have ever had- I got it from my weight loss coach.

    This recipe makes 4 servings:

    1 lb very lean beef, browned...pour off any fat
    4 Tablespoon of tomato puree, with no sugar
    2-16 oz cans tomatoes, no sugar (recipe says fire-roasted) - I use Muir Glen fire roasted tomatoes.
    1 onion peeled and finely chopped
    2 cloves garlic, crushed- I used minced garlic from my giant garlic jar! Can't get enough garlic!
    1 teaspoon chile powder
    cayenne to taste- or Tony's!
    1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
    salt and pepper to taste

    remember to read labels on canned products- this is very low calorie, so it's okay to add sour cream or tofutti with cheese or Daiya shreds on top!

    J'Layne
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