Description
Hearty homemade chili brings warmth to winter dinner tables with rich, complex flavors that dance across palates. Savory beef, aromatic spices, and tender beans combine in a comforting bowl you can easily craft at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
Vegetables:
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
Beans and Tomato Products:
- 2 cans (15 ounces or 425 grams each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces or 411 grams each) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces or 227 grams) tomato sauce
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Sear ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat until thoroughly caramelized, breaking meat into crumbly texture and eliminating surplus grease.
- Incorporate diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle aromatic spices including chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper, allowing them to bloom and intensify flavors for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in kidney beans, crushed tomatoes, and tomato sauce, thoroughly mixing ingredients to create a harmonious base.
- Elevate temperature to achieve a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, allowing chili to gently simmer and develop deep, rich flavors for 25-30 minutes.
- Periodically stir and taste, adjusting seasonings as needed to create a perfectly balanced profile.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and sauce to slightly thicken.
- Ladle into serving bowls and garnish with preferred toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.
Notes
- Always choose lean ground beef to minimize excess fat and create a healthier chili base.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting chili powder and adding fresh jalapeños for extra kick.
- Consider vegetarian alternatives by replacing ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans like black or pinto beans.
- For deeper flavor, toast spices briefly before adding to the pot and allow chili to simmer longer to enhance taste complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg