Knock up a healthy, tasty chilli for less

A tasty chilli is a classic evening meal. It’s filling, tasty and can be as spicy or as mild as you like. But it can be expensive too.

So we wanted to recommend one simple way to cut the cost of your chilli without compromising on taste - use jackfruit instead of mince.

Jackfruit is a cheap, low-cost meat alternative that’s full of fibre, minerals and vitamins - and it soaks up flavours beautifully.

So if you’re put off by the rising price of minced meat, why not give it a try?

What you’ll need 

Serves about three or four people

• One tin of jackfruit
• One tin of tomatoes or passata
• Two spoonful of chilli powder
• A little oil for cooking

Optional extras

• Leftover vegetables, like onion, peppers or carrots
• Any herbs and spices, like coriander, garlic and paprika
• Natural yoghurt

How to make it

1. Heat a little oil in a large pan.
2. Cook any veg you’re using until softened.
3. Shred the jackfruit with a fork, add to the pan and cook for a few minutes so it warms through.
4. Stir in the tin of tomatoes or passata.
5. Add the chilli powder and any extra seasonings you like.
6. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated and the flavours have blended. 

Once cooked, serve with boiled rice, wraps or some delicious homemade chips.

Add a dollop of natural yoghurt on top.

A budget-friendly option

A 400g tin of jackfruit usually costs around £1.50 to £2.

So that’s significantly cheaper than a packet of minced beef.

But it’s just as full of texture, so fussy eaters might not even notice that you’ve made the swap.

Great veggie option

Another perk of jackfruit is that it’s veggie - so it’s a satisfying option for both meat-eaters and vegetarians, or if you’re trying to cut how much meat you eat.

That, again, helps you keep costs down, as you don’t need to buy something different for each member of the household, or pay premium prices for veggie products.

Great for leftovers

A jackfruit chilli also freezes really well, so if you make a big batch, you could put aside a portion or two so you’ve got lunch or tea ready for another day, and more pennies saved.