Description
Hearty homemade chili brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables across America. Rich spices and tender meat create a soul-satisfying meal that you will crave on cool evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 lb ground turkey (optional)
- 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans (drained & rinsed)
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans or pinto beans (drained & rinsed)
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth or water
- ½ cup onion (diced)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Diced avocado
- Fresh cilantro or green onions
- Crushed tortilla chips or cornbread
Instructions
- Sear Protein: Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet on medium-high, add ground beef, and cook until deeply browned, systematically crumbling with a wooden spatula while rendering excess fat.
- Develop Aromatics: Without cleaning the pan, introduce diced onions and minced garlic, stirring continuously to capture the residual beef flavor and create a robust flavor foundation.
- Layer Spices: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika directly into the meat mixture, toasting briefly to amplify their complex, intense characteristics and distribute evenly.
- Build Liquid Base: Pour in crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth, stirring comprehensively to integrate all components and establish a rich, harmonious consistency.
- Simmer and Concentrate: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the chili to gently simmer for approximately 45-50 minutes, permitting flavors to meld and intensify while occasionally stirring to prevent scorching.
- Finalize and Season: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, black pepper, and optional hot sauce, ensuring a balanced and deeply satisfying flavor profile before serving hot.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for optimal flavor and juiciness, ensuring the chili doesn’t become too greasy or dry.
- Drain Fat Strategically: Tilt the pan and use a spoon to remove excess fat, but leave a small amount for rich flavor and moisture retention.
- Spice Layering Technique: Toast dry spices briefly before adding liquids to enhance their depth and release complex flavor profiles more effectively.
- Simmer for Depth: Allow the chili to slow-cook on low heat for at least 1-2 hours, letting ingredients meld together and develop a more robust, harmonious taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg