Best Ground Beef Stovetop Chili Recipe
A hearty and flavorful stovetop chili made with ground beef, kidney beans, black beans, and a blend of aromatic spices. This easy-to-make chili is perfect for cozy dinners and brings a comforting, rich taste with a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Meat and Beans
- 1 lb ground beef (lean or regular)
- 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 large onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
Liquids
- 2 cups beef broth
- Olive oil (for sautéing, about 1-2 tablespoons)
Spices and Seasonings
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Heat the olive oil: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent to build a flavor base.
- Cook the garlic: Add minced garlic to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Brown the ground beef: Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add the seasonings: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using) over the beef and onions. Stir well to coat and cook for 1-2 minutes to bloom the spices.
- Add the tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 2-3 minutes to thicken the chili and deepen the flavor.
- Add the tomatoes and broth: Pour in diced tomatoes, beef broth, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and cook for 20-25 minutes until flavors meld and chili thickens.
- Add the beans: Stir in kidney and black beans. Simmer for an additional 10-15 minutes to heat through and allow beans to absorb flavors.
- Adjust the seasoning: Taste the chili and add more salt, pepper, or chili powder if desired. If too thick, add extra beef broth to reach preferred consistency.
- Serve: Ladle chili into bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or green onions.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for a lower-fat version.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on spice preference.
- Can be made in advance and reheated; flavors improve over time.
- Try topping with shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, or avocado slices.
- For vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles and use vegetable broth.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 250g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: ground beef chili, stovetop chili, easy chili recipe, hearty chili, beef chili, kidney beans chili, black beans chili, spicy chili