Description
Rich cowboy chili delivers hearty southwestern comfort with robust beef, smoky spices, and deep flavor profiles. Rustic ingredients and slow-simmered techniques make you crave a bowl of authentic ranch-style goodness that warms from the first savory bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 3/4 pound extra lean ground beef
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
Aromatics and Vegetables:
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 (15-ounce) can chopped stewed tomatoes
Spices and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, carefully eliminating excess grease.
- Incorporate minced garlic and onions into the meat, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, approximately 4 minutes.
- Pour in stewed tomatoes, beef broth, and create a robust flavor profile by seasoning with chili powder, cumin, oregano, cayenne pepper, and salt.
- Elevate heat to generate a vigorous boil, then immediately reduce temperature and allow the chili to simmer gently, uncovered, for 25 minutes to develop deep, complex flavors.
- Introduce pinto beans into the simmering mixture, continuing to cook for an additional 15 minutes, which allows ingredients to harmonize and intensify the overall taste.
- Remove from heat and let the chili rest for 5 minutes to stabilize consistency and enhance flavor absorption.
- Ladle into serving bowls and customize with optional garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose lean ground beef to reduce excess fat and keep the chili healthier.
- For a vegetarian version, swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans like black beans and kidney beans.
- Adjust cayenne pepper based on your spice tolerance, starting with a small amount and gradually increasing heat.
- Enhance flavor depth by toasting spices like chili powder and cumin in the pot before adding other ingredients for a richer, more complex taste profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 34
- Calories: 44 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 113 mg
- Fat: 1.4 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2.9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6.3 g
- Cholesterol: 17 mg