Description
Hearty Mexican-style chili simmers with robust ground beef and rich spices. Comforting one-pot meal delivers complex flavors you’ll savor with warm cornbread or crisp tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
Vegetables and Beans:
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (8 ounces/226 grams) tomato sauce
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Liquid:
- 1 cup water or beef broth
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Jalapenos
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high temperature, sautéing ground beef and diced onions until meat browns and onions become translucent, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Eliminate excess grease from the pot to prevent oily consistency.
- Introduce minced garlic, stirring rapidly for 30-45 seconds to release aromatic flavors without burning.
- Sprinkle in robust spices including chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, with precise salt and pepper measurements, coating meat evenly.
- Pour diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and kidney beans into the mixture, creating a rich, textured base.
- Add water or beef broth to achieve desired liquid consistency, thoroughly incorporating all ingredients.
- Reduce heat to low, allowing chili to gently simmer with lid slightly ajar for 15-20 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent bottom scorching.
- Taste and fine-tune seasoning profile, ensuring balanced flavor intensity.
- Ladle steaming chili into serving bowls, garnishing with optional toppings like shredded cheese, dollop of sour cream, or chopped green onions for additional texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Experiment with different ground meats like turkey or plant-based alternatives for a leaner or vegetarian version of the chili.
- Control the heat level by adjusting the amount of chili powder and adding a pinch of cayenne for extra kick.
- Let the chili simmer longer for deeper, richer flavors that develop as the ingredients meld together.
- Enhance the nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini during the initial cooking stage.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg