Chili is one of my ABSOLUTE favorite fall/winter dishes. It’s hearty, flavorful and such an easy recipe to throw in the pot and serve a crowd-pleasing dinner. Here is my take on a more traditional Beef Chili with Beans that is perfect for snowy day or game-day party!
Now, depending on where you were born and raised. Across the country, we have popular chili’s like Cincinnati-style chili, Texas chili, Colorado Chili… I mean, the list goes on and on! In Texas, traditionally chili is *not* made with beans and tomatoes. But my mom always made a chili along the lines of this recipe: ground beef, lots of spices, some tomatoes and some beans. So consider this moment a Texan sharing a very un-Texan style chili. 😉
Taking inspiration from my Mom’s chili growing up, over the years I’ve come up with my own rendition and swaps. It’s got good spice, great texture, and is perfect to serve in a bowl with all of your favorite toppings or to serve as you please! It’s great on top of Enchiladas, over hot dogs and hamburgers, and to make Frito Chili Pies!
So, send a mass text to your friends, turn on your favorite football game, and set up an easy chili bar for everyone to serve themselves! It’s always a hit!
LOVE THIS RECIPE? HERE ARE SOME OTHER GREAT CHILI RECIPES:
Whole30/Paleo Chili (no beans!)
Beef and Bean Chili

Ingredients
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 ½ cup diced green bell pepper
- 1 cup diced poblano pepper
- ¼ cup seeded and diced jalapeno
- 3 clove garlic minced
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 lb ground beef
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp hot sauce (*see note, i use Siete Brand Traditional Hot Sauce)
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 15- oz can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 15- oz can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
- 2 tsp coconut sugar *OPTIONAL, see note!
Serving Suggestions:
- sour cream
- shredded cheddar cheese
- corn chips
- Thinly sliced green onions
Instructions
- In a large dutch oven or pot, heat the avocado oil over medium heat. When hot, add the onion, bell pepper, poblano, jalapeno, garlic and 1 tsp salt. Saute, stirring, until the veggies are tender; about 8 minutes.
- Once the veggies are tender, add the ground beef and the remaining 1 tsp salt and the black pepper, breaking up with the edge of a wooden spoon, and brown; about 7 more minutes. (depending on how fat your beef is, you may need to drain off excess fat here, but reserve about 2 tbsp for flavor in skillet).
- Once the beef is browned, add the tomato paste, hot sauce, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, and garlic powder. Cook, stirring, until well combined and the spices are fragrant, about 2 more minutes.
- Add the fire-roasted tomatoes and broth. Stir to combine then bring to a rapid simmer.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, covered but stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes. (When I have more time, I personally prefer to turn the heat to LOW and cook, covered, for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally. It’s good either way though).
- About 15 minutes prior to serving, add the beans (and coconut sugar, if using) and stir to combine. Cook, uncovered until the beans are tender.
- Serve with desired toppings and enjoy!
47 Comments
Kitchenhutt Spices
May 18, 2023 at 7:16 amYour blog is impressive, thanks to the quality of your recipes & other content….
Sharon G.
March 19, 2023 at 4:09 pmMy first time making chili and this recipe did not disappoint!!! I only had enough chili powder for 2 tbsp and I omitted the jalapeños for my kids – still turned out great. Thank you for another great recipe.
Alex
March 20, 2023 at 3:30 pmSo glad this was a hit! Thanks for commenting
Jenna
January 3, 2023 at 8:31 pmMy favorite chili recipe! A family favorite. I make it multiple times throughout the cold weather months!
Heather
January 1, 2023 at 5:55 pmThis is my new favorite chili recipe. I have made it multiple times over the last few months because my family loves it. I made it for a work potluck and everyone loved it and asked for the recipe. Great balance of spice and vegetables, and a little extra meat, just the way I like it.
Alex
January 1, 2023 at 11:08 pmso happy you love it!
Jen
November 11, 2022 at 5:26 pmI’m making this chili this weekend, but can’t find poblanos anywhere. 😩 Is there a good substitute or should I just omit?
Leslie
February 3, 2022 at 11:06 pmI sampled it before its final 30 minutes on the stove to test the saltiness. It has an absolutely wonderful flavor at this point so I’m hesitant to add the coconut sugar. Out of curiousity – Why the coconut sugar? other than, well it gets sweeter. Right? It’s 20 degrees outside and damnit I want a bowl of chili. The taste is incredible.
Alex
February 8, 2022 at 9:03 pmhaha, if you love the way it is– don’t change it!! I do it both ways. The sugar also balances out the acid from the tomatoes!
Jamie Martin
January 2, 2022 at 2:55 amI used pinto beans and it turned out so tasty! Will for sure make again!
Whitney
December 21, 2021 at 2:09 amMy fave chili recipe! We subbed smoked bottom round steak for the ground beef this time, kept the rest of the recipe the same. Hand’s down, the best chili ever!
Sarah B
December 19, 2021 at 5:00 pmI’m using Impossible Meat, anything you think I should add/change?
Alex
December 20, 2021 at 12:44 pmI don’t think so! I don’t cook with that often so I can’t say for sure; however, from my understanding it’s a 1:1 swap for ground meat so you should be good.
Abbey
November 27, 2022 at 9:52 pmI’m trying this week with beyond meat. How did yours turn out?
Gabbie
November 17, 2021 at 1:08 amWow this is the best chili ever! Can’t wait for leftovers 🙂 Super easy to make and so much flavor!
BHS
November 1, 2021 at 3:06 pmSo flavorful!! Warms you up from the inside out!
Judith McCann
October 27, 2021 at 5:16 pmI am known for sending great chili to deer camp every year, but this year’s was hands down….THE BEST!!! I used this recipe (I know you keep it healthy ❤️) and my husband said it got amazing comments!!
I even got a couple of text messages! Best chili I have ever eaten, without a doubt!! ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Frances Ward
October 25, 2021 at 11:32 pmThis was excellent! Thank you! Instead of sugar I added a couple of squares of dark chocolate.
Blair P.
October 25, 2021 at 7:26 pmDo you think this recipe is too spicy for little ones?
Alex
October 26, 2021 at 2:48 pmMy girls actually ate this as-is, but if your kids have a sensitive palate, I recommend leaving out the hot sauce and jalapeno. You can always top your serving with hot sauce!
Hannah T
October 25, 2021 at 2:06 pmGoing to make this tonight! Is it too spicy for kiddos? Or can a dollop of sour cream fix that?
Thanks for all the yummy meals!!
Alex
October 25, 2021 at 5:12 pmboth of my girls enjoyed it as is and didn’t complain about the spice. They did serve it over fritos and a big dollop of sourcream on top 😉
Ashley
October 22, 2021 at 1:54 amDo you think ground Turkey would be good as a substitute or should I stick with the beef?
Alex
October 22, 2021 at 8:40 pmBeef is most delicious– but it will still taste fab with turkey!
Lori
October 18, 2021 at 11:10 pmJust made this for dinner.So yummy!!
Nicole Thompson
October 18, 2021 at 5:43 pmDelicious! Could I make this in an instant pot?
Alex
October 18, 2021 at 9:05 pmdefinitely! I would saute the veggies + brown the meat first in the IP. Add the remaining ingredients, seal, and cook for 25 minutes on HP.
Elizabeth MacDonald
December 15, 2021 at 12:22 amCan i halve the recipe? Looks SO good!
Alex
December 15, 2021 at 8:49 pmsure!! will still work great!
Katey Deas
February 22, 2023 at 12:03 amI am no stranger to chili recipes. I love chili and force it upon my family time after time. This was hands down the best chili ever and everyone was in agreement! Not too spicy for the kids and just such great flavors. Bravo! Can’t wait to make again and again and again!
Alex
February 22, 2023 at 12:44 amyay yay yay!!!
Sarah
January 21, 2022 at 2:03 amI’ve made this so many times and it is hands down the BEST chili I’ve ever made. I keep coming back for more and sharing this recipe with all my friends. I’m not a fan of spicy so I hold the jalapeño and hot sauce and it is still so flavorful and perfect without the heat.
zee
October 18, 2021 at 3:57 pmI’ve never been huge on chili, but this recipe is a game changer. SO GOOD!! THANK YOU!!
SR
October 18, 2021 at 12:26 amThis was delicious! I’m only cooking for one so I halved it (which was easy) and will likely freeze half of that too. Going to be a great freezer addition!
Wendy Zogg
October 17, 2021 at 10:24 pmThis was another home run! Thanks for feeding my family every night!
Can’t wait for the new cookbook. I have ordered one for myself, friends and family for Christmas.
Laura
October 19, 2021 at 8:25 pmTrying this recipe this weekend for a chili cook off!! Any thoughts on crystal hot sauce?
Alex
October 20, 2021 at 7:57 pmCrystal’s is good– but keep in mind that it’s a Louisiana style hot sauce so it has that distinct flavor– a more mexican/texan-style hot sauce is best but Crystal’s would be great too!
Gracie
October 17, 2021 at 8:20 pmIt says add 1 tbs of salt in directions when I think it’s supposed to be 1 tsp.
Alex
October 18, 2021 at 11:54 amoops! so sorry about that typo.
Erica
October 15, 2021 at 9:19 pmCan’t wait to try!! Frank’s hot sauce would work?
Alex
October 16, 2021 at 12:44 pmI wouldn’t use franks– as it has too much of a buffalo flavor!
Erica
October 16, 2021 at 4:58 pmFound tapatio in my pantry (husband loves hot sauce 🤣). This recipe is literally FIRE. Never tried a recipe of yours I didn’t like
Erica
October 16, 2021 at 4:59 pmFound tapatio in our pantry (husband loves all hot sauce 😂). This recipe is literally FIRE. Haven’t tried a recipe of yours I don’t love!!
Paige
November 16, 2022 at 1:46 amThis was so good. I have to admit I was nervous while adding the seasoning amount 😂 but I should have known to trust you! My husband said this chili could compete with his mom’s, which is a huge compliment. He’s already so excited for leftovers… I didn’t have a poblano, so I just omitted it. I also used jarred jalapeños. Even with both changes, it was still delicious!
Hannah
October 14, 2021 at 12:48 amThe perfect chili! I wanted to make this so badly but didn’t want to go to the store to grab the few ingredients I was missing (bell pepper and poblano) so decided to give it a try anyways with a little extra jalapeño and it turned out great! I did it in my instantpot and it couldn’t have been easier. Can’t wait to try it again with all the ingredients!
Darlene Addison
October 13, 2021 at 1:01 amCould you do this in the crockpot?
Alex
October 13, 2021 at 1:58 amyes! I would just saute the onions/veggies and brown the meat first. Then transfer all to the crockpot, add remaining ingredients, cook on low all day. Finish with the beans at the last 30 mins! 🙂