Description
Hearty homemade chili brings warmth and comfort to dinner tables across North America. Spicy beef, aromatic spices, and rich tomato sauce create a satisfying meal that you’ll savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Beans:
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Optional Liquid:
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and brown the ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles until no pink remains.
- Drain excess fat from the beef, leaving a thin layer for added flavor.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the pot, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper, stirring continuously to prevent burning and allow spices to release their aromatic oils.
- Incorporate kidney beans, black beans, and crushed tomatoes into the meat mixture, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Season the chili with salt and pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
- Pour beef broth to achieve desired consistency, stirring thoroughly to blend all components.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for 25-35 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld together.
- Ladle into serving bowls and top with shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and chopped green onions for additional texture and freshness.
Notes
- Drain meat thoroughly to prevent a greasy texture and ensure a cleaner, more concentrated chili flavor.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper or using mild versus hot chili powder for different spice tolerances.
- Consider swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based protein for healthier or vegetarian alternatives without losing rich, robust taste.
- Allow chili to simmer longer for deeper, more developed flavors, with slow cooking helping ingredients meld together more effectively.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 285 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg