Best Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe

Hearty ground beef chili simmered with beans, tomatoes, and bold spices is a high protein comfort food classic. Perfect for family dinners, freezer meal prep, and chilly evenings.

Cook 55 min Difficulty NORMAL 390 kcal
#high protein #diabetic friendly #family dinner #meal prep
Image coming soon
Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • Ground beef (85% lean) 1.5 lbs
  • Kidney beans, drained and rinsed 2 cups
  • Canned diced tomatoes 2 cups
  • Yellow onion, chopped 1 cup
  • Green bell pepper, diced 1 cup
  • Garlic, minced 3 cloves
Seasonings/Sauce
  • Chili powder 2 tbsp
  • Ground cumin 2 tsp
  • Smoked paprika 1 tsp
  • Dried oregano 0.5 tsp
  • Salt 1 tsp
  • Black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • Olive oil 1 tbsp
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 28 g 29%
Protein 28 g 29%
Fat 16 g 37%
Serving size 325g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and diced green bell pepper, sauté for 4–5 minutes until vegetables are soft.

  2. 2

    Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, stirring to prevent burning.

  3. 3

    Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is well-browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat.

  4. 4

    Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toast the spices for 1 minute to enhance their aroma.

  5. 5

    Add kidney beans and diced tomatoes (with juices). Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

  6. 6

    Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. For a thicker chili, uncover during the last 10 minutes; for thinner, add a splash of water. Serve hot.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this Ground Beef Chili recipe?
The core ingredient is ground beef, which gives the chili its satisfying texture and robust flavor. Combined with kidney beans and tomatoes, this trio forms the hearty foundation of a classic chili.
Q. Which seasonings make the biggest difference in flavor?
Chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika are essential for the recipe's bold, complex flavor. Toasting the spices after browning the beef deepens the chili's warm, smoky notes.
Q. What's the recommended heat and timing for perfect chili?
After browning the beef over medium-high heat and toasting the spices, simmer the chili on low heat for 30–40 minutes. This gentle simmer allows flavors to meld without drying out the meat or overcooking the beans.
Q. How do I prevent my chili from being too watery or too thick?
To manage texture, uncover and simmer the chili during the last 10 minutes if you prefer it thicker, or add a splash of water before serving if it becomes too thick from simmering.
Q. How many calories are in each serving? Is this chili high in protein?
Each serving contains approximately 390 kcal, with 28g of protein (29% of calories), making it a high protein option. Carbohydrates and fat each make up about 29% and 37% of calories, respectively.
AI 채팅 아이콘