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Classic Beef Chili

Classic Beef Chili

Classic Beef Chili is a hearty, bold, and deeply comforting dish made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a rich blend of spices.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

Core Ingredients

  • 2 lb ground beef 80/20 recommended
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cans 15 oz each kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can 15 oz black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can 28 oz crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste

Spices & Seasonings

  • 2½ tbsp chili powder
  • 2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ –1 tsp cayenne pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1½ tsp salt adjust later
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Optional Flavor Boosters

  • 1 tsp cocoa powder secret depth
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth for crockpot chili
  • 1 tsp sugar or honey balances acidity

Instructions
 

  • Brown the Ground Beef

    Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease if needed, but leave a little for flavor.

Why this matters: Browning builds deep, savory flavor that you can’t get from dumping raw meat into the crockpot.

  • Sauté the Aromatics

    Add diced onion and bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

  • Bloom the Spices

    Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir well and cook for 1 minute.

Chef technique: Heating spices in fat releases their essential oils, creating a richer chili.

  • Add Tomatoes & Beans

    Stir in tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beans, Worcestershire sauce, cocoa powder (if using), and beef broth.

  • Simmer or Crockpot

    Stovetop Method

    Bring to a gentle boil
    Reduce heat to low
    Cover and simmer for 45–90 minutes, stirring occasionally

    Crockpot Chili Method

    Transfer everything to a slow cooker
    Cook on LOW for 6–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours
    The longer it cooks, the better it tastes.

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Ground beef: ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based alternatives
  • Kidney beans: pinto, cannellini, or chickpeas
  • Tomato sauce: crushed tomatoes or passata
  • Bell pepper: celery or poblano pepper
  • Beef broth: chicken broth or water with bouillon
Keyword beef dishes, chili recipe crockpot, chilli recipe, crockpot chili, ground beef, ground beef recipes