Description
Mexican-inspired beef chili delivers hearty comfort with rich spices and tender meat. Home cooks savor this classic dish that brings warmth and satisfaction to family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 bay leaves
Pantry and Spice Ingredients:
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces / 411 grams each) diced tomatoes
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Sour cream
- Shredded cheese
- Sliced jalapenos
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced onions
- Avocado slices
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Warm olive oil in a spacious Dutch oven at medium temperature, gently sautéing chopped onions until translucent and tender.
- Incorporate minced garlic and allow aromatics to release their fragrant essence for approximately 30 seconds.
- Introduce ground beef into the pot, methodically breaking and browning the meat until no pink remains and a rich caramelization develops.
- Fold in diced bell peppers, cooking until they become slightly tender and retain a gentle crispness.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper across the mixture, toasting the spices for 1-2 minutes to enhance their deep, complex flavors.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, kidney beans, black beans, bay leaves, and brown sugar, stirring thoroughly to create a harmonious blend.
- Elevate heat to trigger a robust boil, then immediately reduce to a gentle simmer. Allow the chili to slowly develop its flavors for 35-45 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent scorching.
- Extract bay leaves and taste, adjusting seasonings to achieve a perfectly balanced profile.
- Ladle into warm bowls and embellish with preferred garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Use high-quality ground beef with 80/20 fat content for maximum flavor and richness in the chili.
- Toast whole spices before grinding to enhance their depth and complexity, creating a more robust taste profile.
- For a thicker consistency, let the chili simmer uncovered during the last 10 minutes to reduce liquid and concentrate flavors.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative that maintains the classic chili texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 332 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg