Evergreen Paleo Chili (Printable)
A hearty paleo chili with lean meat, green veggies, and rich spices for a balanced, wholesome plate.
# List of ingredients:
→ Meats
01 - 1.1 lbs lean ground beef or turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 large green bell pepper, diced
06 - 2 celery stalks, sliced
07 - 2 medium zucchini, diced
08 - 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
09 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
10 - 1 fresh jalapeño, seeded and minced
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 tablespoons chili powder
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
14 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Liquids
17 - 14 oz can diced tomatoes
18 - 1 cup beef or chicken broth
→ Garnishes
19 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Sliced avocado
21 - Lime wedges
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add garlic, bell pepper, celery, and jalapeño. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add ground beef or turkey and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add diced tomatoes with juices, broth, zucchini, and broccoli. Stir to combine.
06 - Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Stir in chopped spinach and cook for 2-3 minutes until wilted.
08 - Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, avocado, and lime wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The way the vegetables melt into the sauce makes it feel impossibly rich without any dairy or thickeners
- It somehow tastes even better the next day, making weekday lunches feel like a treat
02 -
- The vegetables release a lot of liquid as they cook, so don't worry if it looks too thick at first
- Letting it rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving somehow makes the flavors come together even more
03 -
- The smoked paprika is doing a lot of heavy lifting here, so don't skip it or substitute with regular paprika
- Chopping all your vegetables beforehand makes the actual cooking feel almost effortless