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Hearty Chili from Scratch

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A simple, comforting chili recipe with ground beef and beans, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. This recipe balances bold seasoning with tender beef and beans for a soul-warming meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed (can substitute black or pinto beans)
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (fire-roasted optional)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh cilantro

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and drain and rinse the canned beans.
  2. Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large pot. Sauté onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat if desired.
  4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper over the beef and onion mixture. Stir well to coat.
  5. Pour in diced tomatoes and beef broth. Stir to combine.
  6. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer gently for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and chili thickens.
  7. Adjust seasoning if needed. If chili is too thick, add a splash of broth or water.
  8. Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or cilantro.

Notes

Toast spices lightly in the pan after browning beef to enhance flavor. Rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and canned taste. Adjust seasoning near the end of cooking. If chili thickens too much, add broth or water. For slow cooker adaptation, brown beef and sauté aromatics first, then cook on low 4-6 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: hearty chili, ground beef chili, easy chili recipe, chili with beans, comfort food, weeknight dinner, simple chili

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/hearty-chili-from-scratch-recipe-easy-5-step-ground-beef-and-beans-guide/