Beef Chili with Kidney Beans (Printable)

Rich chili featuring ground beef, kidney beans, and tomatoes with warming spices for a satisfying dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced

→ Legumes

06 - 14 oz canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Tomatoes

07 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
08 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Liquids

09 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 tsp chili powder
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1 tsp salt
16 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

→ Oils

17 - 2 tbsp olive oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes.
02 - Add garlic, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
03 - Add ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
04 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to develop flavor.
06 - Pour in diced tomatoes and beef broth. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
07 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
08 - Stir in kidney beans and continue simmering for 10 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
09 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot garnished with chopped cilantro, sour cream, or shredded cheese if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in about an hour but tastes like its been simmering all day
  • The spice blend creates layers of flavor without being overwhelmingly hot
  • Leftovers actually improve overnight, making it perfect for meal prep
02 -
  • The longer it simmers on low heat, the deeper and more complex the flavors become
  • Letting it rest for 10 minutes off the heat before serving allows the seasonings to fully distribute
03 -
  • Always drain and rinse the canned beans to prevent your chili from becoming cloudy or overly salty
  • Make it a day ahead and reheat gently, the flavors develop and meld overnight in the refrigerator

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