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Easy Homemade Chili

A comforting and hearty chili that combines savory spices, tender beef, and a variety of beans, perfect for chilly days.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

Base ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil For cooking the base
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced About 2-2.5 cups
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (94% lean)
Spices and liquids
  • ¼ cup chili powder
  • 1½ tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 cans fire-roasted tomatoes (14.5-ounce each) With juices
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth Or Better than Bouillon beef
  • 1 jar roasted red bell pepper Drained and chopped (12-ounce jar or 1 cup)
  • 1–2 cans diced green chiles (4-ounce each)
Beans
  • 2 cans kidney beans Drained and rinsed (15-ounce each)
Optional toppings
  • to taste sour cream
  • to taste shredded cheese
  • to taste fresh cilantro
  • to taste tortilla chips

Method
 

Cooking the base
  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Add the diced onion and ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt, stirring occasionally until the onion begins to soften, about 3 minutes.
Adding beef and spices
  1. Add the minced garlic and the lean ground beef to the pot. Season with an additional ¾ teaspoon of kosher salt.
  2. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the beef as it cooks, about 4 minutes, until it’s nearly cooked through.
  3. Incorporate the ¼ cup of chili powder, 1½ tablespoons of dried oregano, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.
  4. Continue to cook for 2 minutes, allowing the spices to meld beautifully with the meat.
Simmering the chili
  1. Add in the fire-roasted tomatoes with their juices, beef broth, chopped roasted red bell peppers, and 1 to 2 cans of diced green chiles.
  2. Stir everything together and increase the heat until the mixture comes to a boil.
  3. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
Final touches
  1. Stir in the drained kidney beans and bring the chili back to a simmer.
  2. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Taste and adjust salt as necessary before serving.
  3. Serve hot with optional toppings like sour cream, shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, or crushed tortilla chips for added flavor and texture.

Notes

For an extra kick, consider adding some cayenne pepper or jalapeños. Allow the chili to sit for a few hours or overnight to deepen the flavors. To thicken the chili, mash some of the beans before stirring them in.