Haines Family Chili

That's right.  I put my name on a chili.  I've been working on this chili recipe for a few months now and it's finally exactly how I want it.  It's not too spicy, though you could make it that way if you prefer yours spicier, by adding some sliced jalepeno rings or a spicer version of Rotel.  My husband prefers his a little spicier and adds a few dashes of Tabasco sauce into his bowl.  But I love it just how it is.  It's hearty, salty with a little sweet, and amazing with some thick cut, farmhouse style shredded cheddar on top.

1lb. organic grass-fed beef

1/2 cup dehydrated chopped onion

2tsp. onion powder

1pkg. McCormick Chili Seasoning (I use gluten-free but original works great too.)

1pkg. Ranch Dressing Seasoning

2 cans organic black beans, drained

2 cans organic red kidney beans, drained

1 can mild Rotel

1/2 jar Jacks Medium Cantina Style Salsa (The Costco jar.  It's fresh and in the fridge section.)

1/3-1/2 cup Swerve granulated sweetener

2-3 cans of water (Just use a bean can.)

Salt

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Your favorite chili toppings.

Turn your Instant Pot on the Sauté setting.  Add a generous amount of olive oil, enough to cover the bottom of the pot.  Add your ground beef and cook until browned, leaving it in dime sized chunks.  

Season the beef with salt (I use about a teaspoon of Pink Himalayan), onion powder, and dehydrated chopped onion.  Cook until the chopped onion becomes soft and the beef is cooked through.

Add chili and ranch seasonings and mix well.  

Add the Rotel and Salsa and mix well.

Add 2-3 cans of water; however much you like to make your chili the consistency you prefer.

Add all of the beans and stir well.

Add 1/3 cup of Swerve.  You can add more once it's finished cooking if you want it sweeter.

Give it a good stir to make sure everything is incorporated evenly.  

Place the lid on your Instant Pot, set the valve to Sealing, and cook on high pressure for 12 minutes.  

Once it's finished, allow the pressure to naturally release completely.  (There's room to fudge that if you don't have time for a full natural release...just let it release naturally as long as you can.  Always make sure you move the valve to Venting to release all remaining pressure before attempting to remove the lid.)

Taste and add salt if needed.  Also, add more Swerve at this time until it's to your liking.

My family all tops their bowl a bit different.

One of my kids likes tortilla chips, sour cream, and shredded cheddar.

Another one likes Tabasco, plain greek yogurt, and shredded cheddar.

My husband likes Tabasco, sour cream, and shredded cheddar.

I like mine with thick, farmhouse style shredded, cheddar. 

Enjoy!