Description
Rich Mexican-style homemade stovetop chili brings comfort and bold flavors to dinner tables. Hearty ground beef, aromatic spices, and robust tomatoes combine for a satisfying meal that warms souls and delights senses.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner version)
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans or pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (red, green, or yellow for sweetness and color)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted for extra flavor)
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 tbsps tomato paste (adds depth of flavor)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth (or water for a lighter version)
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Diced avocado
- Sliced green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread
Instructions
- Sauté Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat, creating a dynamic cooking surface for initial flavor development.
- Brown Protein: Add ground beef to the heated environment, breaking down the meat with a wooden spoon while allowing each fragment to develop a rich, caramelized exterior until completely cooked through and no pink remains.
- Drain and Season: Tilt the pot to drain excess fat, then introduce diced onions, minced garlic, bell peppers, and spices—cumin, chili powder, oregano, and salt—stirring to integrate and awaken the aromatic compounds.
- Liquid Integration: Pour in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, and kidney beans, stirring to create a harmonious blend that will simmer and develop deep, complex flavors.
- Slow Transformation: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the chili to gently simmer for 45-60 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent bottom scorching and enable ingredients to meld into a rich, hearty consistency.
- Final Refinement: Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring a balanced flavor profile. Let the chili rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow final flavor integration and slight thickening.
Notes
- Control Meat Browning: Achieve deep flavor by breaking ground beef into small, uniform crumbles that maximize surface caramelization and prevent clumping.
- Drain Fat Strategically: Tilt the pot carefully to remove excess fat without losing precious browned meat bits, preserving a rich taste while reducing unnecessary greasiness.
- Temperature Management: Maintain medium-high heat to ensure proper meat searing without burning, creating a foundation of complex, deeply developed flavors.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or lean ground chicken for dietary preferences without compromising the chili’s core taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg