Description
This Best Ever Chili recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for warming up on a chilly day. Made with lean ground beef, a medley of beans, and a rich blend of spices, this chili simmers to perfection in just 45 minutes. It's ideal for a family meal or entertaining guests, serving up to 8 people with a satisfying combination of tender meat, vegetables, and robust chili seasonings.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Liquids and Canned Goods
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
Spices
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the lean ground beef. Cook and crumble the beef until browned and no longer pink. Once cooked, drain the excess fat to keep the chili from being greasy.
- Sauté Vegetables: To the same pot, add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté the mixture until the vegetables are soft and just tender, releasing their flavors into the base of the chili.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the beef broth, tomato sauce, and undrained diced tomatoes. Stir in the drained pinto beans and kidney beans, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Season the Chili: Add chili powder, oregano, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to combine the spices thoroughly with the meat and vegetables.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer. Let it cook uncovered for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld perfectly.
Notes
- For a spicier chili, increase the cayenne pepper or add a chopped jalapeño with the vegetables.
- If you prefer a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce excess liquid.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with textured vegetable protein or beans only.
- Serve with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or crushed tortilla chips.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American