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Homemade beef and bean chili recipe with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and green onions.

Classic Beef Chili Recipe

This hearty, soul-warming chili brings families together with its perfect balance of rich flavors and satisfying textures. Simple pantry staples transform into comfort food magic that tastes like you've been cooking all day.
5 from 1 vote
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Course : Dinner, Main Dish
Cuisine : American, Tex-Mex
Prep Time : 15 minutes
Cook Time : 1 hour 15 minutes
Resting Time : 10 minutes
Total Time : 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings : 8 servings
Calories : 385kcal
Cost : $12.50

Equipment

  • 1 Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven For browning meat and simmering the chili
  • 1 Wooden spoon To break up beef and stir ingredients
  • 1 Chef’s knife For dicing vegetables
  • 1 Can opener To open canned tomatoes and beans

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pounds ground beef - 80/20 blend works best
  • 1 large onion - diced
  • 4 cloves garlic - minced
  • 2 whole bell peppers - diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil - for sautéing
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes - with juice
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • 2 cans (15 oz) kidney beans - drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans - drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin - ground
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano - dried
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper - adjust to taste
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent and softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and diced bell peppers, cooking until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon into small crumbles. Cook until completely browned with caramelized edges and no pink remains, about 8-10 minutes. Don't rush this step – proper browning creates incredible depth of flavor.
  • Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper directly to the browned beef mixture. Stir constantly for 1 minute to toast the spices and release their aromatic oils. This step transforms ordinary spices into flavor powerhouses.
  • Stir in diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low for a gentle simmer. Scrape any browned bits from bottom of pot for extra flavor.
  • Add drained kidney beans and pinto beans to the pot, stirring to combine. Simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili reaches your desired thickness. The longer it simmers, the more the flavors meld together.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings with additional salt, black pepper, or chili powder as needed. Remove from heat and let rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and deepen.

Notes

The real magic of this chili lies in properly browning the meat and toasting the spices before adding liquid. This layered seasoning technique creates incredible depth that makes people think you've been cooking all day. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving – the flavors settle and the taste becomes even more extraordinary.

Nutrition

Serving : 300g | Calories : 385kcal | Carbohydrates : 32g | Protein : 28g | Fat : 16g | Saturated Fat : 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat : 1g | Monounsaturated Fat : 7g | Cholesterol : 75mg | Sodium : 890mg | Potassium : 780mg | Fiber : 9g | Sugar : 8g | Vitamin A : 1250IU | Vitamin C : 35mg | Calcium : 95mg | Iron : 5.2mg