Hearty Chili with Ground Beef and Beans

Introduction

Hearty Chili with Ground Beef and Beans is the ultimate comfort food—a rich, flavorful stew brimming with tender ground beef, hearty beans, tomatoes, and bold spices. This dish is a staple in American home cooking, especially during chilly weather, football nights, and family gatherings. Every spoonful is warming, savory, and perfectly spiced, making it one of those recipes you’ll crave again and again.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it balances comfort and flavor in the best way possible. The ground beef provides richness, while the beans add body and heartiness, making the chili both satisfying and filling. It’s the kind of dish that tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Plus, it’s customizable—spicy, mild, smoky, or even a bit sweet—depending on your taste. And let’s be honest, few things beat a big bowl of chili topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, and fresh cilantro on a cold day.

Why This is a Must-Try Dish

This chili is a must-try because it’s budget-friendly, simple to make, and incredibly versatile. It can feed a crowd, making it perfect for game day, potlucks, or weeknight dinners. It’s also a one-pot wonder, meaning less cleanup and more flavor. Another reason? It stores and freezes beautifully, so you can make a big batch and enjoy comforting bowls whenever you want. Chili is not just food—it’s a cozy experience in a bowl.

Recipe Information

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 1 hour (can simmer longer for deeper flavor)
• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Servings: 6–8 servings
• Calories per Serving: ~350–400 kcal

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
• Course: Main Course, Dinner, Comfort Food

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
• 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cans (15 oz each) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
• 2 cups beef broth (or water)

Spices & Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (balances acidity)

Simple Cooking Directions

1. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
2. Brown ground beef until cooked.
3. Stir in tomato paste and spices.
4. Add beans, tomatoes, and broth.
5. Simmer until thick and flavorful.
6. Serve hot with toppings of choice.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables

• Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add onion and bell pepper, sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
• Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Step 2: Brown the Beef

• Add ground beef to the pot.
• Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon (about 7–8 minutes).
• Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

• Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor.
• Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne.
• Stir well to coat beef and vegetables in spices.

Step 4: Add Beans and Tomatoes

• Pour in diced tomatoes (with juice), kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth.
• Add sugar to balance acidity.
• Stir everything together.

Step 5: Simmer the Chili

• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
• Cover partially and simmer for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Longer simmering (up to 2 hours) will deepen flavors.

Step 6: Adjust and Serve

• Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, spice, or broth.
• Serve hot with toppings.

How to Serve

• Classic Style: Ladle chili into bowls and top with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions.
• With Bread: Serve with cornbread, garlic bread, or crusty rolls.
• Over Grains: Spoon chili over rice, quinoa, or baked potatoes.
• Party Style: Serve with tortilla chips for dipping.

Additional Recipe Tips

• Toasting the spices briefly in the pot enhances flavor.
• Use a mix of beans for texture variety.
• If chili is too thick, add extra broth.
• If too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce liquid.

Variations

• Spicy Chili: Add jalapeños, chipotle peppers in adobo, or extra cayenne.
• Sweet Chili: Add a touch of brown sugar or cocoa powder.
• Turkey Chili: Substitute ground turkey for beef.
• Vegetarian Chili: Omit meat and add more beans or lentils.
• White Chili: Use chicken, white beans, and green chilies with a creamy broth.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4–5 days.
• Freezing: Freeze in containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: Reheat on the stovetop or microwave with a splash of broth if too thick.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Ladle for serving

Conclusion

Hearty Chili with Ground Beef and Beans is more than just a meal—it’s a warm hug in a bowl. It’s rich, filling, and bursting with flavor, making it the perfect comfort food for family dinners, game nights, or cold evenings. With its customizable spice level, versatile serving options, and ability to feed a crowd, this chili is a must-have in your recipe collection. Once you make it, you’ll see why it’s a timeless classic loved by so many.

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Hearty Chili with Ground Beef and Beans

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Dinner

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 60 mins Total Time 1 hr 15 mins

Servings: 8 Calories: 400 kcal

Description

Hearty Chili with Ground Beef and Beans is the ultimate comfort food—a rich, flavorful stew brimming with tender ground beef, hearty beans, tomatoes, and bold spices.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lbs (900 g)
• 2 cans (15 oz each)
• 1 can (15 oz)
• 2 cans (15 oz each)
• 1 can (6 oz)
• 2 cups beef broth (or water)

Spices & Seasonings:

• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (balances acidity)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Sauté the Vegetables : Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper, sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Step 2: Brown the Beef : Add ground beef to the pot. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon (about 7–8 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Step 3: Build the Flavor Base : Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne. Stir well to coat beef and vegetables in spices.
4. Step 4: Add Beans and Tomatoes : Pour in diced tomatoes (with juice), kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth. Add sugar to balance acidity. Stir everything together.
5. Step 5: Simmer the Chili : Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for at least 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Longer simmering (up to 2 hours) will deepen flavors.
6. Step 6: Adjust and Serve : Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, spice, or broth. Serve hot with toppings.

Keywords: Hearty Chili with Ground Beef and Beans