Description
This Classic Beef Chili Recipe is a hearty, flavorful, and comforting dish made with ground beef, beans, and a robust blend of spices. Perfect for weeknight dinners, it combines tender beef, rich tomato sauce, and savory seasonings simmered to perfection. Customize with your favorite toppings for a delicious, crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1.5 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- pinch cayenne powder
- 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 15 oz can pinto beans
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 cups beef broth
Optional Toppings
- Sour cream
- Greek yogurt
- Cheese
- Green onion
- Fritos
- Cilantro
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil and Cook Onions: In a large dutch oven or sauce pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the diced yellow onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Add Ground Beef and Garlic: Add 1 pound of ground beef to the pot with the onions. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the minced garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Season the Meat: Once the meat is cooked through, add 3 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1.5 teaspoons salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, and a pinch of cayenne powder. Stir well to coat the beef evenly with the spices.
- Add Tomato and Bean Ingredients: Stir in one 15 oz can diced tomatoes, one 15 oz can tomato sauce, one 15 oz can pinto beans, one 15 oz can kidney beans, 3 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 tablespoons honey, and 2 cups beef broth. Mix until all ingredients are fully combined.
- Simmer the Chili: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve with Toppings: Once cooked, ladle the chili into bowls and top with your choice of sour cream, cheese, green onions, Fritos, cilantro, or any other favorite toppings.
Notes
- This hearty beef chili is ideal for meal prep and freezes well for later enjoyment.
- You can adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper to suit your taste.
- For a thicker chili, simmer longer or add less beef broth.
- Beans add fiber and protein, making this chili both filling and nutritious.
- Feel free to swap ground beef with ground turkey or a plant-based alternative for variation.
- This chili pairs wonderfully with cornbread or over rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 327
- Sugar: 10.6 g
- Sodium: 846.4 mg
- Fat: 7.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 43.3 g
- Fiber: 11.9 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 33.9 mg
