Spicy Beef Chili Kidney Beans (Printable)

A hearty dish with tender beef, kidney beans, and a robust spice blend perfect for warming meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 ½ lbs ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Beans

06 - 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed

→ Tomatoes

07 - 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
08 - 2 tbsp tomato paste

→ Liquids

09 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

10 - 2 tbsp chili powder
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
13 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper
14 - 1 tsp dried oregano
15 - 1 tsp salt
16 - ½ tsp black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

17 - Chopped fresh cilantro
18 - Sour cream
19 - Shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Sliced jalapeños

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a splash of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
04 - Mix in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
05 - Add the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
06 - Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Stir to combine.
07 - Add the drained kidney beans. Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45–60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot with your choice of toppings.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in one pot but tastes like it simmered all day
  • The spice blend hits that perfect middle ground between mild and wild
  • Makes enough for dinner tonight plus lunch tomorrow with zero effort
02 -
  • Chili always tastes better the next day, so don't stress about making it last minute
  • The spices need time to marry with the tomatoes, so taste at the very end, not the beginning
03 -
  • Add a splash of coffee or dark chocolate if you want deeper, more complex flavor
  • A little brown sugar balances the acidity from the tomatoes perfectly

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