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Cozy Homemade Chili with Beans

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A comforting and easy chili recipe featuring ground meat, kidney and black beans, and a blend of smoky spices. Perfect for chilly evenings and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef or turkey, lean (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) canned kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (28 oz / 800 g) canned diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium bell pepper, diced (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup (240 ml) beef or vegetable broth (low sodium preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking (about 3-4 minutes).
  2. Add diced onion and bell pepper; cook until softened and translucent, about 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  4. Add ground beef or turkey; crumble and cook until fully browned with no pink remaining, about 7-8 minutes. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
  5. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano over the meat mixture. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1-2 minutes to toast spices.
  6. Add drained kidney and black beans, then pour in diced tomatoes with juices. Stir to combine.
  7. Pour in 1 cup broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover partially with lid, and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar. Add cayenne or hot sauce for extra heat if desired.
  9. Remove from heat and let chili sit for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and thicken.

Notes

Do not rush the simmering stage; allow at least 30 minutes for flavors to develop. Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce excess salt and starch. Brown the meat properly for best texture and flavor. Adjust seasoning gradually and taste often. For a smoother chili, use an immersion blender. Leftovers taste better the next day. Can be made in a slow cooker after browning meat and sautéing veggies.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili, homemade chili, chili with beans, comfort food, easy chili recipe, ground beef chili, weeknight dinner, slow simmer chili

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/cozy-homemade-chili-with-beans-recipe-easy-comforting-meals-guide/