Beef Chili

Oh, the joy that comfort food brings. It is always a treat to have a hot and easy go-to meal that you can keep in your rotation. The wonderful thing about this easy Beef Chili is that it only takes 30 minutes to cook from start to finish. That sounds pretty quick, right? It certainly is and it will bring so much joy to your kitchen and of course to your tummy. If you are looking for a little extra spark of joy in your kitchen, then you must make this. Try this recipe at least once and I can guarantee you that it will become a permanent recipe in your book.

Now, for this recipe I use 90% lean ground beef. You are more than welcome to substitute the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken or a meatless protein. Just be sure to season accordingly and use the remaining listed ingredients. I begin by sautéing the beef in my cast iron skillet with some olive oil, diced onions and seasonings, such as garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. 

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Beef Chili

Recipe by Recipe Helper

Course: MainDifficulty: Easy

Servings

6

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

25

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 lb lean ground beef

• 1 small onion, diced

• 1 tablespoon chili powder

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• 2 tablespoons cumin

• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 2 tablespoons garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon brown sugar

• 16 oz canned diced tomatoes

• 3 cups beef broth

• 16 oz corn

• 6 oz tomato paste

• 16 oz pinto beans

Directions

• In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium high heat and brown the ground beef and diced onions together.
• Add in the spices (chili powder, paprika, cumin, Italian seasoning, black pepper, salt, garlic powder and brown sugar). Mix well.
• Next, add the diced tomatoes, beef broth, corn, tomato paste, tomato sauce and pinto beans. Stir well. Be sure to scrape sides of pot throughout cooking process.
  
• Turn heat down to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat and Enjoy!

Notes

• This recipe also works with ground turkey or another protein substitute.

Now, the reason I use my cast iron skillet first is because my skillet packs so much flavor from previous meals so the beef and onions get some extra help with flavor. I then transfer the seasoned ground beef and diced onions to a large pot so that I can add the rest of the ingredients. You can certainly make everything in one big pot if you don’t have a cast iron skillet and/or if it is easier for you to do so. It will not make a huge difference. 

Next, to the big pot on medium heat, add in the corn, tomato paste, tomato sauce, beef broth, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, a pinch or sugar and a lot more seasoning. I do not like my chili to be too hot, so I opt out of using anything too spicy. For me, it ruins the meal if this dish is overpowered with heat. I like a slight kick that I can still enjoy without having to take countless drink breaks. If you have ever had a dish that has been too spicy, then I am sure you can relate! 

As this beef chili cooks in the pot, the inside of the pot will develop a crusted like ring. This ring is packed with flavor. When you see this happening, you will want to take your spoon or spatula and scrape it down into the chili mixture. Trust, me, you won’t regret doing this part. It is slight, but definitely helps the chili to achieve a more robust flavor. Next, all you need to do is simply allow the chili to simmer for about 20 minutes and then turn off the heat and it will be ready for serving. 

I typically serve this chili with cornbread, tortilla chips, or a baguette. For this particular day that I photographed it, I opted for a simple store bought baguette. Whatever is the most fun for you to dip with this delicious Beef Chili is what I recommend that you use. I hope you enjoy this quick and easy Beef Chili recipe!