It’s officially chili season, people! And for this month’s cooking club we’re making our famous beef chili recipe.
What is the Fit Foodie Cooking Club?
The Fit Foodie Cooking Club is a monthly cooking challenge to get you in the kitchen cooking from scratch!
We thought there was no better way to bring our virtual community together than to all make the same recipe each month to celebrate real food.

Join the Club!
Fit Foodie Cooking Club
Be the first to know about the recipe of the month + get other Fit Foodie Cooking Club announcements right to your inbox!
SubscribeOctober 2021 – The Details
Read the below details VERY carefully as we want to make sure your entry counts! If you have questions, please leave them in the comments of this post.
October 2021’s recipe of the month is our beef chili. And we truly believe it’s the best chili recipe you’ll ever make! Many of you have made this chili recipe and loved it so much you keep coming back for more.
This is hands-down our most popular chili recipe on Fit Foodie Finds and we can’t wait for you to make it! Our classic beef chili is made with ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, and a homemade chili seasoning.

All About Beef Chili
BEEF: The star of the show here is ground beef. We’re big fans of 80% or 85% fat because that little bit of fat adds so much flavor. If you go any leaner, you risk compromising flavor and texture.
TOMATOES: One of the reasons we love chili is because it’s made with tomato products. Thick, creamy, and so delicious. This recipe calls for 3 different kinds:
- tomato sauce (gives this recipe a delicious tomato flavor)
- diced tomatoes (adds great texture)
- tomato puree (helps to thicken and intensify the flavors)
BEANS: While traditional beef chili does not call for beans, we like to up the anty a little bit in the nutrition department and include 2 different variations. Pinto beans and kidney beans add texture and fiber to this beef chili recipe.
CHILI SEASONING: Do yourself a favor and make your own chili seasoning. We promise you the flavor is better AND there isn’t any added junk. Try our homemade chili seasoning and keep a batch in your cabinet at all times.

Dutch Oven

Measuring Spoons

Measuring Cups

2 Cup Glass Measuring Cup
SAUTE THE GROUND BEEF FIRST: Add the ground beef, onion and garlic to your stockpot or dutch oven and sauté for 7-10 minutes to fully brown the beef before adding the remaining ingredients. This will ensure your ground beef is fully cooked and will also enhance the flavors!
MAKE YOUR OWN CHILI SEASONING: If you have the time, we 100% recommend making your own chili seasoning because it’s the flavor is better AND there isn’t any added junk. Try our homemade chili seasoning and keep a batch in your cabinet at all times.
SECRET INGREDIENT: The best secret ingredient for chili is a little bit of sugar. Whether you use white sugar, brown sugar, or our go-to, maple syrup, a little bit of sugar will bring out all of the savory spices of your chili.
SPICE TO YOUR LIKING: This is your chili! Make it as spicy as you’d like ? To make this beef chili spicier, you can add a few tablespoons of diced jalapeños, poblano peppers, or green chiles. You can even add a few tablespoons of hot sauce.
DON’T FORGET THE TOPPINGS: chili isn’t complete without the toppings! You’ll find us topping this beef chili with any combination of the following:
- shredded cheese
- chips – tortilla or Fritos
- green onions
- Greek yogurt or sour cream
- chives
- hot sauce
How to Enter
Now that you know how to make the recipe, it’s time to submit your creation!
- Go to the Beef Chili blog post.
- Make the recipe and snap a photo of it.
- Leave a comment on the Beef Chili blog post with a photo of your creation letting people know how it went. We’d love a star-rating, but it’s not required. Make sure to leave your name and email in the comment form because this is how we’ll contact the winners!
Join in on the Fit Foodie Facebook fun and become a member of our FREE Facebook Group. The Fit Foodie Cooking Club group on Facebook is a way to share your cooking creations and make new like-minded friends online.
Important Dates
2 participants will each win a $100 Target gift card. The selection will be random and based on comments that are received between October 4 and October 26, 2021.
Winners will be announced on the last Wednesday of the month (October 27, 2021) via social media and blog post.
Charity of the Month
Each month we select a different charity to support. October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month, and we’re supporting the Star Legacy Foundation, whose mission has been near and dear to our hearts since Emily experienced pregnancy loss in 2020.
The Star Legacy Foundation is the nation’s leader in the prevention and care of pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and neonatal death, and their mission is to increase awareness, support research, promote education, and encourage advocacy and family support regarding stillbirth, pregnancy loss, and neonatal death.
We’ll be doubling the match from our giveaway winners to donate $400 to the Star Legacy Foundation.
DONATE
We would love for you to support our monthly charity and donate what you can.
If you feel so inclined, donate to the Star Legacy Foundation.
Original Article