Description
This homemade chili recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for cozy dinners. It features ground beef, a medley of beans, and a robust blend of spices simmered together to create a thick, comforting chili. Topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, crunchy chips, and fresh green onions, it’s an easy-to-make meal that satisfies and delights.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Base
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped (about 280g)
- 1 bell pepper (green or red), chopped (about 140g)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef (450g)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (14.5-ounce/411g) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8-ounce/226g) can tomato sauce
- 1 (16-ounce/454g) can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (16-ounce/454g) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups beef broth (480mL)
Toppings
- Shredded cheese
- Sour cream
- Tortilla or corn chips
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
- Cook the Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper, and sauté for 5–7 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute, until fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 8–10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, oregano, salt, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Cook for 2–3 minutes to toast the spices and deepen the flavor.
- Add Tomatoes and Beans: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, red kidney beans, pinto beans, and beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer the Chili: Bring the chili to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally. The chili will thicken as it cooks.
- Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla or corn chips, and sliced green onions. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner chili variant.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the heat level according to your preference.
- For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for the full 45 minutes or longer.
- This chili tastes even better the next day after the flavors have melded.
- Serve with warm tortillas or over steamed rice for variety.
