If You Spot This $1.25 Dollar Tree Find, Grab a Few

I love it when a shortcut doesn’t give itself away. As someone who genuinely loves to cook but also balances real-life parenting and work responsibilities, I'm learning to hone my expertise at spotting the unicorn-like grocery finds that make life easier without compromising quality.

So when I saw Muir Glen organic chili starter at Dollar Tree for just $1.25, I had a feeling it would be a winner and grabbed multiple cans. I was right. It's one of the best time-savers I've ever found. Nothing about its flavor makes it seem like a shortcut at all.

Why I Love Muir Glen Chili Starter From Dollar Tree

It's no secret that I love Muir Glen tomatoes. It's a premium organic brand known for fire-roasting, which gives the tomatoes natural sweetness and some added depth that you don't typically get from regular canned tomatoes. 

This 29-ounce can of chili starter includes all the tomatoes, spices, and peppers you need for a fantastic pot of chili. All you have to do is add meat and beans. The seasoning is perfectly balanced, too. The mild version, which I picked up (because of kids), contains spices and bell peppers, but it had a wonderful hit of spice that I thoroughly enjoyed, and my kids didn't even seem to notice. 

Since discovering it, I've seen the same product at other grocery stores retailing for upwards of $5, making this Dollar Tree find feel even better. What really sells me on it is how convenient it is. On nights when I'm tempted to order takeout, I grab a can of this, brown some ground meat, toss in a can of beans, and have a homemade-tasting dinner ready in about 20 minutes. 

How I Use Muir Glen Chili Starter

My go-to chili method is straightforward and mimics the instructions on the can. I brown a pound of ground meat (typically ground beef or turkey), drain any excess fat as needed, then add the chili starter and a can of black, kidney, or pinto beans. When I have the time, I like to throw in a diced onion and bell pepper or two with the meat while it's browning. I like the easy fiber and nutrients it adds with such little effort.

To share an even easier hack, the last time I made it, I used 1 1/2 cups of TJ Farms frozen "Seasoning Blend" from Dollar Tree instead of the onion and bell pepper. It’s a pre-mixed bag of diced onions, celery, and green and red peppers. I added it frozen and cooked it down with the beef. It was entirely unnoticeable, which means I could have added even more. 

I'm thrilled that I found this product because it doesn't taste like a hack (at all!). It's as delicious as a pot of homemade chili but takes a fraction of the time to cook. I now plan to have several cans stashed in my pantry at all times during the colder months. If you happen to see these at the Dollar Tree, I can all but guarantee that you won't regret stocking up.

Honestly, I’d pay full price without a second thought. They make it so easy to serve a hearty, home-cooked meal, even on nights when I barely have time to breathe. And that practically makes them priceless.

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}