Hearty Beef Chili Recipe: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful

Crafting a soul-warming beef chili recipe can turn an ordinary evening into a memorable feast.

Hearty ingredients come together in a dance of robust flavors and comforting aromas.

Spices whisper tales of culinary adventure, inviting you to explore a world of deliciousness.

Layers of tender meat and rich seasonings promise a meal that satisfies deep hunger.

Slow-simmered and packed with character, this chili speaks directly to your appetite.

Each bite promises a symphony of textures that will transport you to comfort food paradise.

Join me in creating a chili that turns simple ingredients into an extraordinary dining experience.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of ground meat?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a different flavor and protein source.

• How spicy will this chili be?

The recipe’s spice level depends on the chili powder you use. For a milder chili, choose a mild chili powder or reduce the amount. For more heat, add cayenne pepper or use a spicier chili powder blend.

• Is this chili recipe gluten-free?

The basic ingredients are gluten-free, but always check your specific brands of tomatoes, broth, and spices to ensure they haven’t been processed in a facility with gluten-containing products.

Classic Beef Chili Features

• Craft a Hearty Meal: Dive into a classic comfort dish that transforms simple ingredients into a rich, satisfying chili packed with robust flavors and nutrients.
• Master One-Pot Wonder: Enjoy a streamlined cooking process where everything comes together in a single pot, minimizing kitchen cleanup and maximizing convenience for busy home cooks.
• Customize Your Bowl: Personalize this versatile recipe with an array of toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños to match your taste preferences.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Delight everyone at the table with a crowd-pleasing meal that appeals to both kids and adults, making dinner time stress-free and enjoyable.

Ingredients for Beef Chili

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the chili.

• Onion, Garlic: Provide a foundational depth of flavor and aromatic base for the chili.
• Chili Powder, Cumin, Paprika: These spices create a warm, complex seasoning profile that defines the chili's traditional taste.

• Canned Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Add moisture, tanginess, and a robust tomato flavor to the dish.
• Beef Broth: Enhances the overall liquid base and adds extra meaty richness.
• Kidney Beans: Contribute texture, protein, and a classic chili ingredient.

• Olive Oil: Used for initial sautéing and preventing ingredients from sticking.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing the overall flavor of the chili.

Beef Chili Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Drizzle olive oil into a spacious pot and set it over a medium flame. Let the oil shimmer and spread across the bottom of the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Toss in finely chopped onions and minced garlic. Stir and cook until the vegetables become soft, translucent, and release their delightful fragrance.

Step 3: Brown the Protein

Introduce ground beef to the pot. Break up the meat with a wooden spoon and cook until it transforms into a rich, caramel-brown color with no pink remaining.

Step 4: Infuse Robust Spices

• Chili powder
• Ground cumin
• Smoky paprika

Stir thoroughly to coat the meat with a vibrant, spice-laden layer.

Step 5: Build the Chili Base

• Canned tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Beef broth

Mix all ingredients until they blend harmoniously.

Step 6: Simmer and Develop Flavors

Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble, then lower the heat. Let the chili simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify for 20-30 minutes.

Step 7: Add Hearty Beans

Fold in kidney beans and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes. The beans will absorb the rich, spicy essence of the chili.

Step 8: Perfect the Seasoning

Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the flavors until the chili reaches your desired balance of spice and depth.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Ladle the steaming chili into bowls. Top with your favorite garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.

Tips to Perfect Beef Chili

• Select lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and create a healthier chili.
• Enhance flavor by toasting spices briefly before adding other ingredients, releasing deeper, richer aromatics.
• Drain excess grease after browning beef to prevent oily texture and maintain a clean, robust taste.
• Consider adding a splash of dark beer or red wine for complexity and depth in the chili's overall profile.
• Slow-cook the chili on low heat for even more intense flavors if time allows, letting ingredients meld together beautifully.

Flavor Twists for Beef Chili

• Vegetarian Chili: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or diced mushrooms for a meat-free version.
• Turkey Chili: Swap ground beef with lean ground turkey for a lighter protein option.
• Spicy Chipotle Chili: Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky, intense heat level.
• Slow Cooker Method: Transfer ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours for deeper flavor development.

Serving Suggestions for Beef Chili

• Cozy Game Night Delight: Serve this hearty chili alongside crispy tortilla chips for a perfect board game gathering that keeps everyone warm and satisfied.
• Tailgate Champion: Pack the chili in a thermos for outdoor sports events, topping with shredded cheese and green onions for a crowd-pleasing meal that travels well.
• Comfort Bowl Makeover: Create a chili rice bowl by spooning the beef chili over fluffy white rice, then sprinkle with fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.
• Loaded Baked Potato Topper: Transform a plain baked potato into a spectacular meal by generously ladling the chili over the top, adding a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and chopped chives.

Storage Advice for Beef Chili

• Refrigerate leftover chili in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to prevent bacterial growth.
• Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer chili to shallow containers to help it cool faster and promote even temperature distribution.
• Label the container with the date to track storage time and prevent consuming expired food.

Spicy Beef Chili Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty beef chili delivers robust southwestern flavors with tender meat and complex spice profiles. Home cooks can easily craft this comforting one-pot meal packed with rich protein and satisfying textures.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1/2 pound beef broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 large onion
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) canned tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling foundation for the chili.
2. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic, gently sautéing until they become translucent and release their aromatic essence.
3. Incorporate ground beef, breaking it into crumbly pieces and browning thoroughly to develop rich, deep flavors.
4. Sprinkle in robust spices – chili powder, cumin, and paprika – allowing them to bloom and intensify the meat’s savoriness.
5. Pour in crushed tomatoes, concentrated tomato paste, and hearty beef broth, creating a luscious, robust base for the chili.
6. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubbling simmer, then reduce heat and let it slowly develop complexity for 25-35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Fold in kidney beans, continuing to simmer for an additional 12-15 minutes to ensure beans are heated through and flavors meld completely.
8. Calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to personal taste preferences.
9. Ladle the steaming chili into serving bowls, adorning with preferred garnishes like shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, or cooling sour cream.

Notes

• Enhance flavor by toasting spices briefly in the pot before adding other ingredients to release their aromatic oils and deepen the chili’s taste profile.
• Achieve richer texture by using a mix of ground beef with 80/20 fat content, which provides optimal moisture and depth of flavor.
• Create a gluten-free version by ensuring all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free and replacing beef broth with a gluten-free alternative.
• Make it vegetarian by swapping ground beef with plant-based crumbles or additional beans like black beans and quinoa for protein boost.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 280 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 18 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg