Spicy Beef Chili Kidney Beans (Printable)
Hearty chili featuring tender beef, kidney beans, and a medley of peppers in a spicy tomato base.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 or lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
→ Legumes
07 - 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
→ Tomatoes & Liquids
08 - 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
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
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
18 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
19 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Oils
20 - 2 tbsp olive oil
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium 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 and cook for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Stir in garlic, bell peppers, and jalapeño; sauté for another 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Mix in tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to bloom the spices.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
05 - Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and cook for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Add kidney beans and cook uncovered for another 15–20 minutes, until the chili has thickened to your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasonings.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This chili gets better overnight, so make a big batch and enjoy leftovers all week
- The combination of smoked paprika and brown sugar creates a depth of flavor that makes people ask for the recipe
02 -
- Letting the spices cook in the fat for a couple minutes is the difference between good chili and great chili
- The chili needs at least an hour total cooking time for the flavors to really meld together
03 -
- Dont rush the initial vegetable sauté, the extra time develops sweetness
- A dark heavy pot like a Dutch oven distributes heat more evenly than thin stainless steel