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Easy Classic Beef Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 713 reviews

This Easy Classic Chili Recipe offers a perfectly balanced, hearty meal that combines ground beef, beans, and tomatoes with bold spices in a single pot. It’s a customizable, family-friendly dish that’s simple to prepare, tastes better the next day, and works well as a freezer-friendly comfort food staple.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced

Meat

  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 recommended for best flavor)

Beans & Tomatoes

  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (6 oz) can tomato paste

Liquids

  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Spices & Seasonings

  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Sauté the Aromatics: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add diced onion and green bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. If vegetables start to stick, add a splash of beef broth to deglaze the pot and lift any browned bits for extra flavor.
  2. Browns the Ground Beef: Add 1 lb ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no pink remains, approximately 6–8 minutes. For richer flavor, allow the meat to develop a slight crust before stirring. Drain excess grease, leaving a little for richness.
  3. Add the Beans and Tomatoes: Stir in kidney beans, pinto beans, crushed tomatoes, and tomato paste. Mix thoroughly, then pour in 2 cups beef broth to cover ingredients for a thick stew-like consistency. For smoother texture, blend one can of beans before adding.
  4. Season and Simmer: Add chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (optional), salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
  5. Adjust and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, a pinch of sugar if acidic, or extra chili powder for heat. Remove bay leaf. Serve hot, optionally topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

Notes

  • For added complexity, add a splash of beer or bourbon with the broth and let cook off.
  • Substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumble for a lighter version.
  • Longer simmering (up to 2 hours on low) yields more tender and richly flavored chili.
  • Freeze leftovers in portions for up to 3 months; thaw overnight and reheat with a splash of broth.
  • Add diced zucchini or mushrooms along with onions for chunkier texture variations.
  • Remove bay leaf before serving to avoid bitterness.

Keywords: classic chili, easy chili recipe, ground beef chili, one pot chili, comfort food, quick chili

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/easy-classic-beef-chili-recipe/