Chili con Carne Stew (Printable Version)

Hearty, spicy stew with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and warming chili spices for comfort and gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 or lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

→ Canned & Pantry

07 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 2 (15 oz each) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
10 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1.5 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
17 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

18 - Sour cream
19 - Shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Chopped cilantro
21 - Sliced green onions
22 - Diced avocado

# Directions:

01 - Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeño if using. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables soften.
03 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add tomato paste and cook for another minute, stirring continuously.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes, drained kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir thoroughly to combine.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste and modify seasoning if necessary. For thicker chili, simmer uncovered an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
08 - Ladle hot chili into bowls and offer optional toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheddar, cilantro, green onions, and avocado.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes richer and more complex the longer it sits, so you can make it ahead and actually reduce stress.
  • The spice balance is forgiving enough to adjust to anyone's preferences without starting over.
  • One pot means less cleanup, which is honestly the real reason I make this on weeknights.
02 -
  • Don't skip the step of cooking the spices in oil for a minute; it's the difference between tasting spices and tasting chili.
  • Chili actually improves overnight in the refrigerator as the flavors settle and deepen, so making it a day ahead is a strategy, not a shortcut.
03 -
  • Brown the beef in two batches if your pot is crowded; overcrowding steams the meat instead of browning it, which changes the whole dish.
  • Rinsing canned beans removes the starch that makes chili feel gummy or separated, and it's the kind of small step that people notice without knowing why.
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