Easy Chili Recipe
A quick, hearty chili made with ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and simple spices. Ready in about an hour, freezer-friendly and perfect for weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Chili
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 bell pepper diced (optional)
- 15 oz diced tomatoes
- 8 oz tomato sauce
- 15 oz kidney beans , drained and rinsed
- 15 oz black beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 cup beef broth or chicken broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp brown sugar or honey
Optional toppings
- Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
- Chopped cilantro or scallions
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Tortilla chips or cornbread
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned (5–7 minutes). Drain excess fat leaving about a tablespoon.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper to the pot. Sauté 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and toast the spices for about a minute.
- Pour in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Add brown sugar. Stir in drained beans.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low, and partially cover. Let simmer 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. If too thick, add broth; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. Serve with toppings.
Notes
- To make vegetarian, replace meat with extra beans and corn or crumbled tempeh.
- Chili freezes well — cool completely, portion, and freeze up to 3 months.
- Add chipotle or cayenne for more heat; add a splash of vinegar to brighten flavors before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 28gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gSodium: 760mgSugar: 8g
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