Description
This hearty Ground Beef Stovetop Chili is a delicious and easy recipe perfect for a quick and comforting dinner. Packed with flavorful spices, fresh vegetables, tomatoes, beans, and tender ground beef, this chili simmers slowly on the stovetop to develop rich, robust flavors. Topped with classic garnishes such as shredded cheddar, sour cream, and avocado slices, it’s a satisfying meal that’s both filling and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
Proteins
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
Liquids
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Chopped green onions
- Avocado slices
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat the oil: Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat to prepare for sautéing the vegetables.
- Sauté onion: Add the chopped onion and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
- Add garlic and peppers: Stir in minced garlic, green bell pepper, and red bell pepper, cooking for another 3-5 minutes until the peppers begin to soften.
- Cook ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon or spatula. Cook until browned, about 7-10 minutes, then drain any excess grease to keep the chili from being too oily.
- Season the meat: Return the pot to the heat and add salt, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir thoroughly to evenly coat the beef and vegetables with the spices.
- Add tomatoes: Pour in the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes with liquid. Stir to combine all the ingredients for a rich tomato base.
- Add beans and broth: Stir in the rinsed kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth, mixing well to distribute everything evenly.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for at least 1 hour, up to 3 hours, stirring occasionally to develop deep flavor.
- Finish with vinegar: Stir in the apple cider vinegar to add brightness and balance the flavors of the chili.
- Season to taste: Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as desired for your preferred flavor profile.
- Serve: Ladle the chili into bowls, ready to be garnished and enjoyed.
- Add toppings: Top with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, avocado slices, or tortilla chips for a delicious finishing touch.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for the best balance of flavor and fat content, which keeps the chili juicy.
- Simmering the chili low and slow for at least an hour enhances the depth of flavor and tenderizes the ingredients.
- Drain excess grease after browning the beef to avoid greasy chili.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount or omit it for less heat.
- Optional toppings add texture and variety but can be omitted for a dairy-free or lighter version.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors meld further.
- This chili can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen for easy meals later.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: ground beef chili, stovetop chili, easy chili recipe, quick dinner chili, beef and bean chili, comfort food, chili recipe with beans
