The Best Chili Recipe with Ground Beef
The best chili recipe with ground beef — thick, hearty, easy, and packed with flavor. A one-pot classic perfect for game day or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1½ lbs ground beef
- 1 onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 6 oz tomato paste
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes fire roasted if possible.
- 14.5 oz diced tomatoes
- 15 oz kidney beans
- 15 oz black beans or ranch beans
- 1½ cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- salt and pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Diced red onion
- Fresh cilantro
- Jalapenos
- Crushed tortilla strips
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the ground beef. Break it into crumbles and cook until no pink remains. Drain excess grease if needed.
- Pro Tip: Don’t stir constantly. Let the beef develop brown bits — that equals flavor.
- Add diced onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper directly into the pot. Stir for 30 seconds until fragrant. This is where the magic happens.
- Stir in tomato paste and cook 1–2 minutes to caramelize slightly.
- Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beans, broth, and optional flavor boosters. Stir well.
- Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 25–35 minutes until thickened. Stir occasionally. The chili should coat the back of a spoon when done.
Notes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving without toppings)
Calories: 410Protein: 32g
Carbohydrates: 28g
Fiber: 8g
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 780mg
Sugar: 6g