Flatlander Chili (Southern Plains Style)

From the wide-open southern plains comes this hearty, no-nonsense chili that fed early settlers and cowboys. Unlike the bean-free traditions of Texas, Flatlander Chili embraces kidney beans alongside ground beef, creating a filling meal that could sustain hard-working folks through long days on the prairie. The recipe evolved as settlers adapted their traditional cooking to local ingredients, resulting in this beloved plains classic.