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Home » Recipes » Main Course

Nora Kelley’s Quick Chili

Stacey – January 20, 2022 – 15 Comments

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Bowl of Nora Kelley's Quick Chili

This super easy chili recipe from Nora Kelley, combines a few pantry staples to create a thick, hearty chili that tastes like it’s been simmering all day long!


My relationship with the Alabama Farmers Federation is one that I’m incredibly proud of. From the Farmhouse Kitchen column I contribute each month to their Neighbors magazine to the food segment each week on the Federation produced Simply Southern TV. But more than that, I’m grateful for the opportunities that they offer me to be able to help tell the stories of farming families across the state.

Previous to me taking over the food section of the magazine, each month they’d feature a recipe from one of those farming families. While I was grateful for the opportunity to share 3 or 4 Southern Bite recipes each month, it just felt like something was missing. Those recipes that came from the hard working families that make up Alabama’s farming community were beloved by readers and we wanted a way to bring them back.

So starting this month, we’re featuring a recipe in the column from one of the previous issues that represents one of those farming families. And the Federation has graciously allowed me to share those recipes right here on Southern Bite, too!

Pot of Nora Kelley's Quick Chili

First up is this delicious and easy recipe for Quick Chili from Nora Kelley. Nora raised her kids on the family farm in Coosa County, Alabama – so you know when she shares a recipe, it’s going to be hearty and delicious. And this one certainly is!

Ground beef is combined with a few pantry staples and some fresh produce to make a quick chili recipe that is ready in about an hour but tastes like it’s been simmering all day long.

Bowl of Nora Kelley's Quick Chili

While I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure about adding a can of tomato soup to chili, it worked beautifully and I was more than surprised by the result. And while I found that her measurements for the seasonings were perfect, keep in mind that different brands will offer different flavors and strengths of flavor, so adjust those to your tastes.

One other tip I can share is for that large can of whole tomatoes. I’m sure you could also use a can of diced or stewed tomatoes of the same size, but I wanted to keep it true to Nora’s recipe, so I used the whole tomatoes. Since the recipe calls for them to be undrained and chopped, I simply opened the lid and used a pair of kitchen shears/scissors to chop them up right in the can.

Hope y’all enjoy!

Bowl of Nora Kelley's Quick Chili
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5 from 3 votes

Recipe Card

Nora Kelley’s Quick Chili

Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
  • 1/2 large green bell pepper, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed tomato soup
  • 1 (28-ounce) can whole tomatoes, undrained and chopped *
  • 1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans, undrained
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  • In a dutch oven over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, and green pepper until beef is browned. Drain excess grease away. Add the undiluted soup, tomatoes, beans, chili powder, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir well to combine.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Serve topped with cheese. 

Notes

*To make the process even easier, I opened the can of tomatoes and chopped them up right in the can using a pair of kitchen scissors.
Bowl of Nora Kelley's Quick Chili
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Stacey Little of Southern Bite

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Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

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  1. Laura

    January 12, 2023 at 7:11 pm

    Delicious! Quick and easy! Definitely a keeper. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 12, 2023 at 8:02 pm

      Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Rosemary Ford

    February 23, 2022 at 2:58 pm

    Loved this chili recipe. Have made it twice and just made it yesterday and having the leftovers tonight.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      February 24, 2022 at 10:54 am

      Love hearing that!

      Reply
  3. Tom

    February 11, 2022 at 2:49 pm

    Chilli doesn’t have beans in it

    Reply
  4. linda lc

    January 20, 2022 at 11:42 pm

    YES almost exactly like ours, but we like lots and lots of beans

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 21, 2022 at 3:49 pm

      No complaining from me! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Mary Lambert

    January 20, 2022 at 4:36 pm

    Stacey, I was told through the grapevine from Linda Robinson Watson, that you were kin to us maybe a distant cousin down the line!!! I am interested in purchasing one of your cookbooks, because it doesn’t get any better than southern cooking, and the Robison’s sure did know how to cook!! Where might I purchase one of your cookbooks?

    Thanks,
    Maricia Bailey

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 20, 2022 at 7:22 pm

      That’s correct! I sure appreciate Aunt Linda sharing with you! You can get the book in a few different places. You can find it online at Amazon, Books-A-Million, Barnes and Noble, etc. You might can find it in store at Books-A-Million if you’ve got one close to you as well. You can find more info here: https://southernbite.com/southern-bite-cookbook-150-irresistible-dishes-4-generations-familys-kitchen/ Thanks for the support!

      Reply
  6. Mary

    January 20, 2022 at 2:55 pm

    I have added a can of tomato soup to our beef stew recipe for decades. It gives it a smoother finish, reduces some of the acidity I think. I can see where it would be a major improvement in a chili recipe also.

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 20, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  7. Carmen Echevarria

    January 20, 2022 at 2:44 pm

    Thank you Stacey. Can’t wait to do this chilli. Looks easy and delicious. And also thanks to Nora Kelley 😊

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 20, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      Hope you’ll enjoy it!

      Reply
  8. holly c.

    January 20, 2022 at 2:04 pm

    wish i saw this yesterday, when i was home sick & decided to make chili! by the time mine was ready, i was too tired to eat 🙁 this looks delicious, & it is going to be my “go to” chili recipe!
    and i think its wonderful that you are involved with the farmers federation, & sharing good ole southern cooking recipes. i always look forward to your emails. thanks stacey!

    Reply
    • Stacey

      January 20, 2022 at 7:23 pm

      Oh no! Sure hope you’re feeling better!

      Reply

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Stacey Little of Southern Bite

Hey, y’all! I’m Stacey…

Feeding people makes me happy. Few things in this world delight me more than my family and friends gathered around my table enjoying a meal. Pull up a chair and join us! Read more…

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