Classic Ground Beef Chili Recipe
Bland chili? Not in my kitchen, honey. This classic ground beef chili is everything a proper bowl of chili should be. Nothing fancy or complicated, just a tried-and-true recipe that tastes like somebody knew what they were doing in the kitchen. I've been making chili since elementary school, no joke, and the secret is getting those seasonings right and letting everything simmer until the flavors come together. This is the kind of dinner everyone goes back for seconds of.
Servings 5 servings
Calories 386kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef Ground turkey or chicken will also work.
- ½ cup diced onions I use white onions
- ¼ cup diced green bell peppers
- ¼ cup diced red bell peppers
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3-4 garlic cloves Minced
- 2 15.5 oz canned chili beans 2 cans, Drained
- ½ cup broth or water I use beef broth, chicken or vegetable broth will work as well.
Chili Seasoning (Feel free to use a store bought packet if you wish)
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper Optional for spicy. Use more/less to adjust to your taste.
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
- Add the diced onions and bell peppers to the pot. Cook for 3-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring to coat the beef and vegetables in the spices.
- Stir in the tomato paste until it's evenly combined with the beef and vegetables. Cook for 1-2 minutes to deepen the tomato flavor.
- Pour in the beans and broth, if using, and stir until everything is combined. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot for extra flavor.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to develop and the chili to thicken. Add more broth if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Taste and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust the seasonings as needed. Serve warm with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, or green onions.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 386kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 15g