A rich, thick, and flavorful homemade chili made with ground beef, tender beans, tomatoes, and delicious spices. Perfect for a cozy family dinner!
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 45–60 minutes | Servings: 6–8
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900 g) ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp chili powder (American spice blend)
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Brown the Beef
Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 6–8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until browned. Drain excess grease if needed.
Step 2: Cook the Vegetables
Add diced onion and green bell pepper. Cook for 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Step 3: Add the Seasonings
Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
Step 4: Add Tomatoes and Beans
Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, kidney beans, beef broth, and brown sugar. Stir everything together until well combined.
Step 5: Simmer Slowly
Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer for 35–45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili becomes thick, rich, and flavorful.
Step 6: Final Touch
Taste and adjust the seasoning. For an even thicker chili, simmer uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Serve hot with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or warm cornbread.
Tips for the Best Homemade Chili
- For deeper flavor, let the chili simmer for an extra 20–30 minutes.
- Add a little beef broth if the chili becomes too thick.
- For a spicier version, add extra cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños.
- Chili tastes even better the next day as the flavors develop.
Enjoy your delicious, thick, hearty homemade beef chili!
Note: This is a complete homemade chili recipe inspired by the photo; the exact original ingredients cannot be determined from the image alone.