Paula Deen Taco Chili with Mix

Paula Deen taco chili with mix is an easy chili made with ground beef, kidney and pinto beans and taco seasoning, ready in 2 hours 20 minutes. This hearty Southern comfort food chili fits game day, potluck and Sunday dinner, and the jar mix makes it a handy homemade gift.

Soak the dried beans for a full 6 to 8 hours, because the long simmer only works on beans that have already softened. Skip the soak and the beans stay hard and chalky while the rest of the pot is done.

Paula packs the dry beans and the taco, ranch and onion seasonings into one jar, so the hard work is done before the pot comes out. The tortilla chips ride along in a bag in the jar, which turns a weeknight chili into a gift you can hand off to a friend.

Paula Deen Taco Chili with Mix

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Course: SoupCuisine: American, SouthernDifficulty: Easy

Servings

10

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

2

hours 

Calories

260

kcal

Dried beans simmer low and slow with ground beef, tomatoes and taco seasoning until the broth turns thick and the beans go tender. A handful of crunchy tortilla chips on top finishes each bowl.

Ingredients

• 1 (16 oz) can tomato sauce
  

• 1 (11 3/4 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles
  

• 4 cups water
  

• 1 jar taco chili mix
  

• 1 lb cooked and drained ground beef
  

• 1 cup dried kidney beans
  

• 1/2 cup dried pinto beans
  

• 1 (1 1/4 oz) package taco seasoning mix
  

• 1 (1 oz) package buttermilk salad dressing mix
  

• 1/3 cup dried minced onion
  

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
  

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
  

• 1 1/2 cups Tortilla chips
  

Directions

• Layer the beans: Layer 1 cup dried kidney beans and 1/2 cup dried pinto beans in a 1-quart wide mouth jar. This is the base of the gift mix.
• Mix the seasonings: Combine 1 (1 1/4 oz) package taco seasoning mix, 1 (1 oz) package buttermilk salad dressing mix and 1/3 cup dried minced onion in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon chili powder and 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin, then wrap the seasonings in plastic wrap or cellophane and place them in the jar.
• Finish the jar: Put 1 1/2 cups tortilla chips in a bag and tuck it into the jar. Then decorate the jar with ribbon or fabric.
• Soak the beans: Place the beans in a large bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak 6 to 8 hours, or overnight, then drain and add them to a Dutch oven.
• Add the rest: Add the seasoning packet and 4 cups water to the Dutch oven, along with 1 (11 3/4 oz) can diced tomatoes and green chiles. Then add 1 (16 oz) can tomato sauce and 1 lb cooked and drained ground beef, and stir it all together so the seasoning dissolves.
• Simmer the chili: Heat the pot to boiling, then cover it and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
• Serve with chips: Ladle the chili into bowls while it's hot. Serve it with corn or tortilla chips on the side.

Tools for this recipe

• Lodge 6-quart enameled Dutch oven, Ball regular mouth mason jars, 12 pack, OXO wooden spoon set. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Do I have to soak the beans overnight?

Yes, the recipe calls for 6 to 8 hours of soaking, and it matters here. The beans only simmer for 2 hours, so unsoaked beans will likely stay tough in the tomato broth.

Can I use canned beans instead of dried?

You can, though it changes the recipe, since the dried beans soak up the seasoned broth as they cook. If you try canned, drain and rinse them and add them near the end so they don't turn mushy.

How long does leftover taco chili keep?

Store it in an airtight container in the fridge, where chili generally keeps about 3 to 4 days. It reheats well on the stovetop, and a splash of water loosens it if it thickens.

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

A slow cooker can handle the long, low simmer, but this recipe is written for a Dutch oven on the stove. Soak the beans first either way, and check that they're fully tender before you serve.

What's the best way to give this as a gift?

Layer the beans in the jar, wrap the seasonings and tuck in a bag of chips, then add a ribbon. Write the chili directions on a tag, and remind the person that they'll need to add the beef, tomatoes, tomato sauce and water.