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Easy Classic Beef Chili Recipe

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4.6 from 72 reviews

Classic Beef Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring ground beef, bell peppers, onions, garlic, kidney beans, and a blend of aromatic spices simmered together into a rich, comforting stew. Perfect for chilly days or game day gatherings, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors in every spoonful.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bell peppers, diced (any color)
  • 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cans (15 ounces each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth (or water)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Spices

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Optional Toppings

  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Chopped green onions
  • Jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Heat Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering, preparing it to sauté the ingredients.
  2. Cook the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook and break it apart with a spoon until fully browned and no pink remains, then drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
  3. Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers to the beef. Sauté the mixture for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  4. Add Spices: Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook the spices with the mixture for about 2 minutes to allow their flavors to toast and bloom.
  5. Add Tomatoes and Beans: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and rinsed kidney beans. Mix everything thoroughly so that all ingredients combine well.
  6. Add Broth: Stir in the beef broth or water, bringing the entire mixture to a gentle simmer.
  7. Simmer: Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to meld and chili to thicken.
  8. Taste and Adjust: After simmering, taste the chili and adjust seasoning if needed by adding extra spices or salt to suit your preference.
  9. Serve: Once the chili has thickened and reached desired flavor, remove it from heat. Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, or jalapeños.

Notes

  • You can substitute beef broth with water for a lighter chili.
  • Adjust the chili powder and jalapeños to control the spice level.
  • For a thicker chili, simmer longer to reduce liquid.
  • Beans can be swapped with black beans or pinto beans if desired.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 3 months.

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