Soups & Stews Free recipe

Classic Beef Chili

If you have never made Classic Beef Chili at home, this is the version to start with: a thick, hearty chili of beef, beans, and warm spices. A gentle simmer -- not a hard boil -- is what keeps everything tender instead of tough.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Total: 75 min

75Minutes

6Servings

4.7Rating

EasyLevel

Why you'll love this recipe

A short, straightforward ingredient list with no special equipment needed.
The components can be made ahead and reheated without losing quality.
Scales up easily for a crowd -- just multiply the ingredients.

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

2 lbs ground beef
1 onion diced
1 bell pepper diced
4 cloves garlic minced
3 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 cans kidney beans
1 cup beef broth
1 tsp salt
toppings: cheese, sour cream, onions

Estimated Nutrition (per serving)

460Calories

34gFat

10gCarbs

28gProtein

Estimated from the ingredients above; actual values vary by brand and exact measurements.

Method

Step 1
Brown the beef in a large pot over medium-high, about 8 minutes. Spoon off excess fat.
Step 2
Add the onion and bell pepper and cook 5 minutes, then the garlic, chili powder, and cumin for 1 minute.
Step 3
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, beans, broth, and salt.
Step 4
Bring to a simmer, then lower the heat and cook uncovered 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick.
Step 5
Taste and adjust the salt and spice.
Step 6
Serve hot with cheese, sour cream, and chopped onions.

Cook's tips

This tastes even better the next day, once the flavors have had time to sit together in the fridge.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving -- salt levels vary a lot between brands of broth, sauce, and canned goods.

Keep cooking