Description
Hearty Mexican-style beef chili brings robust flavors dancing across your palate with tender meat and rich spices. Warm comfort and bold southwestern spirit combine in this satisfying meal perfect for hungry souls seeking delicious home-cooked goodness.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb ground beef (15% fat)
Vegetables:
- 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Beans and Tomato Products:
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 cup beef broth (or chicken broth/water)
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Fritos
- Green onion
Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium-high temperature, searing ground beef until it develops a rich, caramelized exterior and breaks into crumbly pieces.
- Incorporate finely chopped onions and crushed garlic, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and aromatic.
- Introduce tomato paste and classic chili seasonings, toasting spices for 2-3 minutes to enhance their depth and complexity.
- Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, pinto and kidney beans, and savory broth, stirring to create a harmonious blend of ingredients.
- Allow the chili to reach a vigorous boil, then reduce heat to low, creating a gentle simmer that allows flavors to meld and intensify for approximately 30 minutes.
- Carefully monitor the liquid consistency, stirring periodically to prevent scorching and ensure even cooking.
- Once thickened and richly seasoned, ladle the hearty chili into serving bowls and garnish with optional toppings like sharp cheddar cheese, crunchy corn chips, or freshly sliced green onions.
Notes
- Drain excess fat from beef after browning to reduce overall greasiness and create a cleaner, healthier chili base.
- Consider using lean ground beef (90/10) or ground turkey for a lower-fat alternative that maintains rich flavor and protein content.
- Enhance depth of taste by toasting spices briefly before adding liquid ingredients, which releases more complex aromatic compounds.
- For gluten-free adaptation, verify all canned ingredients are certified gluten-free and replace traditional Fritos with corn chips specifically labeled gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 238 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg