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The Pioneer Woman Chili
4.8 from 88 votes

The Pioneer Woman Chili

The Pioneer Woman Chili is a hearty, spiced ground beef chili enhanced with a blend of garlic, tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Masa harina is added to achieve a thickened texture, accompanied by kidney and pinto beans for added substance. Garnishes like cheddar cheese, lime wedges, and sour cream offer customizable finishing touches.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 10 mins
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 613 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mexican

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. ground beef 80% lean
  • 2 cloves garlic diced
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin ground
  • 1 teaspoon oregano ground
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup masa harina white or yellow
  • 15 oz. Kidney Beans drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz. pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes Instant Pot version only
Garnish Options
  • cheddar cheese shredded
  • lime wedges
  • sour cream
  • tortilla chips or Fritos
  • green onion diced

Instructions

Stove Top
    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook and crumble the ground beef in a large pot over medium heat until browned.
  2. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the garlic and tomato sauce, cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add seasonings: 2 TBS Chili Powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper.
  5. Stir to combine. Decrease heat to low.
  6. Cover and let simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
  7. Note: If the meat seems too dry after an hour, add water ½ cup of water.
  8. Combine the masa harina with ½ cup water in a small bowl. Stir to combine. Add to the chili.
  9. Add more masa and/or water until preferred consistency is obtained.
  10. Add the drained and rinsed beans. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  11. Serve with desired garnishes and cornbread!
Crock Pot
  1. Cook and crumble the ground beef in a large pot (or stove-top safe crock pot) over medium heat until browned.
  2. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the garlic and tomato sauce, cook for an additional minute.
  4. Add seasonings: 2 TBS Chili Powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper.
  5. Stir to combine. Transfer to the Crock Pot.
  6. Combine the masa harina with ½ cup water in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
  7. Stir in the masa mixture into the Crock Pot. Add the beans and stir gently to combine.
  8. Heat on low for 4 hours, or all day!
  9. At any point you can add more masa and/or water until preferred consistency is obtained.
Instant Pot
  1. Note: For the Instant Pot Method, use 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes with the juice.
  2. Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Cook and crumble the ground beef until browned. Drain excess grease.
  3. Add the garlic and tomato sauce, cook for an additional minute.
  4. Add seasonings: 2 TBS Chili Powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper.
  5. Combine the masa harina with ½ cup water in a small bowl. Stir to combine.
  6. Add the masa mixture, diced tomatoes with juices, and the kidney/pinto beans to the Crock Pot and stir gently to combine.
  7. Optional: Add additional water and/or masa mixture to achieve preferred consistency.
  8. Close the lid and ensure the pressure valve is shut. Set the Instant Pot to the Chili/Beans setting and heat for 20 minutes.
  9. Flip the quick release valve or let the steam escape naturally. Serve with preferred garnishes!

Notes

  • The chili serves six and nutritional info is estimated per serving.
  • Masa harina thickens the chili; flour or cornmeal can substitute for similar texture but different flavor.
  • Cornstarch mixed with water can also be used as a thickening alternative.

Nutrition Information

Calories 613kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 42g (14%) Protein 40g (80%) Fat 32g (49%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Cholesterol 107mg (36%) Sodium 734mg (31%) Potassium 1198mg (25%) Fiber 14g (56%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 999IU (20%) Vitamin C 4mg (4%) Calcium 110mg (11%) Iron 8mg (44%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6 people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 613

% Daily Value*

Calories 613kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 42g 14%
Protein 40g 80%
Fat 32g 49%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Cholesterol 107mg 36%
Sodium 734mg 31%
Potassium 1198mg 25%
Fiber 14g 56%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 999IU 20%
Vitamin C 4mg 4%
Calcium 110mg 11%
Iron 8mg 44%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.