Easy Homemade Chili Recipe with Ground Beef
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Easy homemade chili combines seasoned ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and savory spices.Brown the beef, add the remaining ingredients, and simmer uncovered for 45–60 minutes.Serve warm with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro, or cornbread.Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2½ tablespoons chili powder divided, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
- 1 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 19-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, with juices
- 2½ cups halal-certified beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sliced green onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Sour cream
- Diced avocado
- Sliced jalapeños
Instructions
Step 1: Season the ground beef
- Place the ground beef in a large bowl and sprinkle with 1½ tablespoons of chili powder.
- Mix gently until the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the meat.
Step 2: Brown the beef
- Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned ground beef, diced onion, jalapeño, and minced garlic.
- Cook for approximately 7–10 minutes, breaking the beef into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon as it browns.
- Continue cooking until the beef is fully browned and the onion begins to soften.
- Carefully drain any excess fat.
Step 3: Add the remaining ingredients
- Stir in the diced green bell pepper, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, and diced tomatoes with their juices.
- Pour in the beef broth, then add the tomato paste, remaining 1 tablespoon of chili powder, and ground cumin.
- Add the brown sugar if using, followed by salt and black pepper to taste.
- Stir thoroughly until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Bring the chili to a boil
- Increase the heat slightly and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Stir occasionally to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
Step 5: Simmer until thickened
- Reduce the heat to low and allow the chili to simmer uncovered for 45–60 minutes.
- Stir occasionally as the sauce thickens and the flavors develop.
- For a thicker chili, continue simmering until the excess liquid reduces to your preferred consistency.
Step 6: Adjust the seasoning
- Taste the chili and add more salt, black pepper, or chili powder if needed.
- If the sauce tastes too acidic, stir in a small amount of additional brown sugar.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy
- Ladle the Easy Homemade Chili Recipe into serving bowls while hot.
- Finish with shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions, fresh cilantro, or your favorite toppings.
- Serve immediately with warm cornbread, rice, or crusty bread.
Notes
This best beef chili recipe is easy to adapt to your family's preferences.
For a different bean combination, replace half of the kidney beans with black beans or pinto beans.
If you prefer a slightly sweeter sauce, include the optional brown sugar. It balances the natural acidity of the tomatoes without making the chili noticeably sweet.
For extra vegetables, add diced carrots, zucchini, or additional bell peppers.
If you want a lighter version, substitute halal-certified ground turkey for the ground beef.
Serve the chili over steamed rice, spoon it onto baked potatoes, or pair it with homemade cornbread.
A sprinkle of cheddar cheese and a spoonful of sour cream make particularly delicious finishing touches.