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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!

Beef Chili with Beans

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!

Beef Chili with Beans

LOVE THIS RECIPE? HERE ARE SOME OTHER GREAT CHILI RECIPES:

Chicken Enchilada Chili

Turkey and White Bean Chili

Curried Chili

Whole30/Paleo Chili (no beans!)

Green Chile Stew

4.94 from 46 votes

Beef and Bean Chili

Servings: 6 people
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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!

Notes

*I like to use a traditional hot sauce here, like Siete Foods Traditional Hot Sauce or Tapatio. These add heat and flavor–but aren’t overly spicy so I can use 2 tbsp. Depending on what hot sauce you use and your heat preference, you may want to dial down and just use 1 tbsp.
*I personally don’t need a touch of sweetness in my chili; however, I know a lot of people love it! Adding the touch of coconut sugar at the ends helps cut through the heat and the acidity of the tomatoes!

Nutrition

Calories: 538kcal, Carbohydrates: 21g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 36g, Saturated Fat: 12g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 17g, Trans Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 107mg, Sodium: 1580mg, Potassium: 960mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1788IU, Vitamin C: 7mg, Calcium: 97mg, Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Alex Snodgrass
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 538
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Welcome! I’m Alex.

I’m a food lover sharing healthy, simple, delicious, recipes from my kitchen to yours. Here you’ll find lots of Whole30, lots of healthy, and a little indulgence here and there because…it’s all about balance y’all!

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Recipe Rating




64 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve made this probably 20 times lol so im shocked I haven’t written a review yet! This is a great classic chili. I use this recipe as a base and modify based on my mood. For example, today I’m doing half pork half beef with half kidney beans half black beans. Sometimes I do poblano and green pepper, sometimes I get colorful with red and orange peppers! This recipe is just such a great classic chili foundation. I’ve never had bison before but I’ve been planning to make this chili with ground bison sometime! When I make this chili for family gatherings I usually cut all the veggies up in the morning for prep and then throw it all together in the evening to make it even easier!

    Thanks Alex for a great recipe, I hope my tips are helpful to others that also love this recipe!

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much for commenting, Katie!!! I appreciate you!! Glad you love the chili and I love that you modify it and cook intuitively!! The best.

      Reply

  3. 5 stars
    Hands down best chili recipe ever! This could when a chili cook off. So yummy and flavorful. My kids and husband are raving about it. Will make again and again!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    Alex! This is fantastic. I love chili, and really need to make it more often. Anywho, I have used this recipe a few times over the past few years and i finally found poblanos to add. It was fantastic! I tipped mine with cilantro, shredded manchego and Greek yogurt! Even better with poblanos. Thanks!!

    Reply