Beef and Barley Chili Recipe

I have always loved chili, especially during the winter.  Below is my recipe for making some delicious beef and barley chili that is made with pinto beans, ground beef, garlic, onion, bell pepper, carrots,  jalapeño, salsa, tomato sauce, beef broth, chili powder, cumin and paprika.  This is a great one pot meal that your whole family will love.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon of olive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 carrots, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and diced
2 tablespoons of jalapeño chilies, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 3/4 pounds of ground beef
3 tablespoons of chili powder
1 tablespoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
3 cups of hot chunky salsa
3/4 cup of tomato sauce
3/4 cup of pearl barley
1 (14 oz.) can of beef broth
2 (15 oz.) cans of pinto beans, drained

Instructions:

To begin this recipe you will want to take a Dutch oven and add your oil into it.  Then place your Dutch oven over a medium high heat.  You will want to add in your onions, bell peppers and carrots when your pot gets slightly hot and sauté your vegetables until they are tender.  This should only take 4 to 5 minutes.  Then add in your jalapeños and garlic and sauté for one minute.  Now add in your ground beef and cook it until your ground beef has browned.  Make certain that you break up your ground beef as it cooks.  This should take about 5 minutes.  At this point you will want to drain any grease from your pot.

Now add in your chili powder, cumin, paprika, salsa, tomato sauce, pearl barley, beef broth and pinto beans into your Dutch oven and bring it to a boil.  When your chili comes to a boil reduce your heat until  it comes to a simmer.  Then let your beef and barley chili cook for 45 to 60 minutes so that your flavors come together and your chili thickens.  Make certain that you stir your beef and barley chili periodically as it cooks.  Pay careful attention to it during the last 20 minutes.