Fit Foodie Cooking Club: October 2021

Published 10/4/2021 • Updated 12/4/2024

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It’s officially chili season, people! And for this month’s cooking club we’re making our famous beef chili recipe.

beef chili in a bowl topped with shredded cheese

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!

October 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.

Recipe of the Month

October 2021’s recipe of the month is our beef chili recipe. 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.

Why You’ll Love it

Amazing Meal Prep: Chili is an excellent meal prep idea because it will literally give you chili for days. This beef chili serves 6-8 and you can easily double it and freeze for later! Plus, you can turn it into our Chili Mac and Cheese recipe for more variety!
Healthy: Our beef chili recipe is made with lean ground beef, beans, and tons of veggies making it high in protein, fiber. It’s also made with a homemade chili seasoning canceling out any additives you may find in the store-bought kind.
Made in No Time! In less than 45 minutes you can have dinner on the table!

bowl of beef chili with Fritos and shredded cheese

All About Beef Chili

Ingredients You’ll Need

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.

Tools You’ll Need

Recipe Tips

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 recipe 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 the fit foodie cooking club on facebook!

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

Monday, October 4, 2021 – the first day you are eligible to submit an entry.

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 – the last day to submit your photo and comment.

Wednesday, October 27, 2021 – the winners will be randomly selected and announced in this blog post and on social media.

The Prize

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.