Traditional Easy Beef Chili Recipe
A hearty, one-pot comfort meal perfect for weeknight dinners or game day gatherings
KEY INFO
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Total Time: 55-70 minutes
- Servings: 6-8
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Cost: $15-20
- Dietary: Non-vegetarian, dairy-free (without toppings)
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
- Large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot
- Wooden spoon
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Colander
- Alternative: Slow cooker or Instant Pot
INGREDIENTS
Main Components:
- 2 lbs (900g) ground beef, 93% lean
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 3 medium bell peppers, chopped
- 28 oz (800g) can diced tomatoes
- 35 oz (1kg) tomato sauce
- 30 oz (850g) kidney beans, drained (or 2 15-oz cans)
- 2 cups (480ml) beef broth
Seasonings:
- 3-4 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ tsp cayenne (optional)
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Diced avocado
- Chopped cilantro
METHOD
- Heat Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook until no pink remains (about 8-10 minutes). Drain excess fat.
- In the same pot, add onions and bell peppers. Cook until vegetables are soft (5-7 minutes).
- Add all seasonings to the vegetable mixture. Stir for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in tomatoes, sauce, and drained beans. Stir well.
- Add beef broth and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
CRUCIAL TIPS
- Don’t skip browning the beef – it adds crucial flavor
- Taste and adjust seasonings before serving
- For thicker chili, simmer uncovered for the last 15 minutes
- Allow to rest 10 minutes before serving for best flavor
STORAGE & VARIATIONS
Storage:
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Freeze up to 3 months
- Reheat gently on stovetop or microwave
Scaling:
- Recipe doubles easily for crowds
- Halve ingredients for smaller portions
Common Mistakes:
- Don’t overcook the beans – they’ll become mushy
- Avoid adding too much liquid initially
- Don’t rush the simmering process
Variations:
- Spicy: Add diced jalapeños
- Smoky: Include 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- Meat substitute: Use plant-based ground beef
- Bean variety: Mix in black or pinto beans
