This hearty one-pot beef chili is everything a classic American chili should be: rich, beefy, loaded with beans, and simmered with warm spices until every spoonful is deeply flavorful. It feeds a crowd on game day, freezes like a dream, and somehow tastes even better the next day.
Prep: 15 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 1 hr | Serves: 6-8
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
- Clear step-by-step directions — great for beginner cooks.
- Family-tested and picky-eater approved.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 lbs ground beef (85/15)
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Toppings: shredded cheddar, sour cream, sliced green onions, tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook the onion and bell pepper 4-5 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne and cook 1 minute to bloom the spices.
- Add the beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, and brown sugar. Stir well and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low, partially cover, and simmer 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thick and rich.
- Season with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and pile on the toppings.
Tips for Success
- Chili thickens and improves overnight — make it a day ahead if you can.
- For smoky depth, add one minced chipotle pepper in adobo with the spices.
- Freeze flat in zip-top bags for up to 3 months for easy future dinners.
- Serve over baked potatoes or mac and cheese for a fun twist the kids will love.
Did you make this recipe? Leave a comment below and let us know how it turned out — we love hearing from you!
Note: Nutrition details, where mentioned, are estimates only. See our Disclaimer for more information.
