Easy 30-Minute Smoky Ground Beef Chili
User Reviews
5
Easy 30-Minute Smoky Ground Beef Chili
Description
Combining lean ground beef with sweet Vidalia onion and garlic, this chili uses black and kidney beans alongside fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles to build a robust base. The inclusion of smoked paprika and cumin enriches smoky depth, supported by chili powder and optional cayenne for heat. The mixture cooks until thickened in about 30 minutes, concentrating the flavor while keeping the beans tender but intact.
The recipe provides flexibility to adjust spices or type of canned ingredients based on preference or dietary needs, such as milder fire-roasted chiles or reducing chili powder for less heat. The resulting chili presents a textured blend of tender meat and beans enveloped in a richly spiced tomato sauce with a subtle smoky aroma.
This chili can be garnished with sour cream, shredded cheese, or crushed tortilla chips for added creaminess and crunch. It makes a convenient dinner option when time is limited but a satisfying, flavorful meal is desired.
Storage tips from the notes recommend refrigerating the chili airtight for up to five days or freezing for up to four months, during which the flavors improve as they meld. Adjust seasoning after reheating if necessary.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef 85 to 90% lean, lean
- 1 sweet Vidalia onion diced small, large or extra-large
- 4 to 5 garlic finely pressed or minced, cloves
- black beans I used no-salt added, drained and rinsed, canned
- red kidney beans I used low-salt, drained and rinsed, one 15-ounce can
- diced fire-roasted tomatoes regular petite diced tomatoes may be substituted, one 14.5-ounce can, petite
- tomato sauce I used no-salt added, canned, 8-ounce can
- diced green chiles two 4-ounce cans, fire-roasted
- water chicken or vegetable broth, or as desired, about 1 to 2 cups
- 1 to 1.5 tablespoons chili powder I used 1.5
- 1 tablespoon cumin ground
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika regular paprika may be substituted
- 2 to 3 teaspoons kosher salt or taste (see step 3. below)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper or to taste, freshly ground
- pinch cayenne pepper optional and to taste
- 2 to 4 bay leaf
- 1 to 3 teaspoons granulated sugar optional and to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or lime juice
- sour cream green onions, shredded cheese, crushed tortilla chips, crackers, etc.; all optional for garnishing
Instructions
- To a large Dutch oven, add the beef, onion, and cook over medium-high heat until beef is cooked through and onions are translucent, about 7 minutes; crumble beef as it cooks and stir intermittently to ensure even cooking.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant; stir nearly constantly.
- Add the the black beans, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, water/broth (if you prefer thicker chili start with 1 cup), chili powder, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, optional cayenne, bay leaves, and stir to combine. (Note - there’s already salt in the many of the canned goods but I chose no-salt added products when possible. Depending on the saltiness of your products, the amount of salt you add will vary).
- Bring to boil and allow chili to gently boil for about 5 to 10 minutes or until chili has reduced and thickened some.
- Stir, taste, optionally add sugar to taste (I added 3 teaspoons because the sugar balances the acid from the tomatoes and tomato sauce), optional lemon/lime juice (brightens up the flavor), and additional salt, pepper, etc. if desired.
- Remove bay leaves, ladle into bowls, and optionally garnish with your favorites.
Notes
- Choose milder fire-roasted tomatoes and green chiles or adjust chili powder to reduce spiciness if preferred.
- The chili keeps well refrigerated for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 4 months; flavor develops over time.
- Taste and adjust salt and seasoning after cooking, especially if using canned ingredients with varying salt levels.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 485 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1 | |
| Calories | 485kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 34g | 11% |
| Protein | 46g | 92% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 8g | 47% |
| Cholesterol | 115mg | 38% |
| Sodium | 1513mg | 63% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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