My friend called my cheap chili 'bean soup with a dream' and it actually helped

I used to make chili with just a can of beans, some tomato sauce, and a tiny bit of ground beef to save cash. My friend tried it last month and said, 'Viola, this is bean soup with a dream of being chili.' It stung, but she was right. Now I always add a whole chopped onion and a full tablespoon of chili powder from the dollar store, and it's like a whole different meal for maybe fifty cents more. What's one small thing you added that made a big difference in a budget recipe?

4 comments

4 Comments

mary_nelson711mo ago

Wait, you only used a tiny bit of beef before?

jamie8041mo ago

Remember how boxed mac and cheese can taste a bit flat? My buddy started stirring in a big spoonful of plain yogurt right after the powdered cheese, and it got crazy creamy and tangy. That one cheap ingredient made it feel like a real meal instead of just a quick fix.

dixon.james1mo ago

Yeah! My buddy @mary_nelson71 tried that yogurt trick and swore by it.

robertcarr1mo ago

That's a solid upgrade. Ever try adding a spoonful of cocoa powder to it? Sounds weird but it works.