Description
This Southern Homemade Chili is a hearty and flavorful dish combining ground beef, beans, and a blend of spices simmered to perfection. Perfect for a comforting meal any day, it’s packed with protein and fiber and delivers a rich, smoky taste with just the right amount of heat.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Oil
- 1½ pounds ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Tomatoes and Beans
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Spices and Flavorings
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup beef broth or water
Instructions
- Prepare Aromatics: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, sautéing for 4–5 minutes or until they become soft and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart as it cooks. Stir and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess fat as needed to keep the chili from becoming greasy.
- Incorporate Tomato Paste: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1–2 minutes to deepen its flavor and blend it into the beef mixture.
- Add Tomatoes and Beans: Mix in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Stir well to combine all ingredients uniformly.
- Season the Chili: Add chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if using), and Worcestershire sauce. Pour in the beef broth or water, then stir everything together thoroughly.
- Simmer: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow it to simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a richer flavor, simmer uncovered for up to 1 hour, stirring periodically to prevent sticking.
- Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste the chili and adjust salt or spices as needed before serving. Serve with optional toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or cornbread on the side.
Notes
- Serve the chili with traditional accompaniments like cornbread, shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day as flavors develop further.
- This chili freezes well for up to 3 months—perfect for meal prepping or quick dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1½ cups
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
