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Best Ground Beef Stovetop Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 57 reviews

This Best Ground Beef Stovetop Chili recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful meal perfect for any chili lover. Featuring ground beef, a blend of aromatic spices, beans, and tomatoes, this chili simmers on the stovetop to develop rich, deep flavors with a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and savory notes. Easy to make and incredibly satisfying, it’s ideal for family dinners, game day, or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 2 cups beef broth

Spices & Seasonings

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Other

  • Olive oil, for sautéing

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, developing a flavor base for the chili.
  2. Cook the garlic: Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Take care to not burn the garlic to avoid bitterness.
  3. Browns the ground beef: Add ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until the beef is browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary. This step builds the chili’s rich meaty flavor.
  4. Add the seasonings: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) over the meat. Stir to coat evenly and cook for 1-2 minutes to let the spices bloom and release their aromas.
  5. Add the tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste thoroughly with the beef and spices. Cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken the chili and deepen the tomato flavor.
  6. Add the tomatoes and broth: Pour in diced tomatoes, beef broth, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and chili to thicken.
  7. Add the beans: Stir in the drained kidney beans and black beans. Let the chili simmer an additional 10-15 minutes, so the beans heat through and absorb the flavors.
  8. Adjust the seasoning: Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or chili powder as desired. If the chili is too thick, add more beef broth to achieve your preferred consistency.
  9. Serve: Once perfectly seasoned and thickened, ladle the chili into bowls. Serve with desired toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or fresh cilantro.

Notes

  • Use lean ground beef for a lower fat chili.
  • Rinsing canned beans reduces sodium and prevents thickening the chili excessively.
  • For spicier chili, add more cayenne pepper or a chopped jalapeño during the sauté step.
  • Simmering time can be extended for deeper flavor development.
  • Leftover chili stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freezes nicely.

Keywords: ground beef chili, stovetop chili, easy chili recipe, beef chili, kidney beans chili, black beans chili, chili powder, hearty chili

Find it online: https://zarameals.com/best-ground-beef-stovetop-chili-recipe-2/