High-Protein Beef Chili

Why this version is better

Swapping to extra-lean ground beef cuts saturated fat by roughly 35% while maintaining a high-protein profile. The addition of low-fat cottage cheese adds a significant whey and casein protein boost (~14g per serving) with minimal caloric cost. Overall protein per serving increases by approximately 10g, directly addressing the high-protein goal.

Cooking note: Replacing 80/20 ground beef with 93/7 extra-lean ground beef reduces fat without altering Maillard browning significantly, though the leaner meat releases less fat during cooking so no draining step is needed. Adding cottage cheese as a protein booster at the end requires no heat adjustment — stir in off heat to preserve texture. Kidney beans are retained as they contribute plant protein and fiber.