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Hearty Chili

This Hearty Chili is thick, flavorful, and packed with tender beef, beans, tomatoes, and bold spices. It’s the perfect comfort food for cold nights, game days, or meal prep!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword Best Homemade Chili, Easy Chili Recipe, Hearty Chili
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 350kcal
Author Creator Child
Cost $18

Equipment

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Wooden spoon
  • Cutting board & knife

Ingredients

For the Chili:

  • 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 15 oz can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

For the Spice Blend:

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional, for heat
  • Salt & black pepper to taste

For Toppings (Optional):

  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Sliced jalapeños

Instructions

Brown the Meat:

  • In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add ground beef, season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking it apart until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.

Sauté the Aromatics:

  • Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Build the Flavor:

  • Stir in tomato paste, diced tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Add all the spices and stir well to combine.

Simmer to Perfection:

  • Reduce the heat to low and let the chili simmer uncovered for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • If using a slow cooker, transfer everything after Step 3 and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.

Taste & Serve:

  • Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro.

Notes

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days or freeze for 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Substitutions:
  • Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version.
  • Add corn or bell peppers for extra texture.
  • Make it spicier with extra cayenne pepper or hot sauce.