Beef and Bean Chili with Cheddar (Printable)
Hearty beef and kidney beans simmered with spices, topped with melty cheddar for a comforting meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Beans
05 - 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
→ Tomatoes
06 - 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
07 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
→ Spices & Seasonings
08 - 2 tbsp chili powder
09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 tsp salt
14 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Liquids
15 - 1 cup beef broth
→ Toppings
16 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
17 - Sliced green onions, for garnish (optional)
18 - Sour cream, for serving (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up with a spoon, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the tomato paste and stir to combine with the spice mixture.
05 - Pour in the crushed tomatoes and beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
06 - Add the kidney beans. Stir well. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Ladle chili into bowls. Top each serving with shredded cheddar cheese, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This chili strikes that perfect balance between hearty and comforting without feeling overly heavy
- The smoked paprika adds this incredible depth that makes people ask whats your secret
02 -
- Resist the urge to skip the step where you cook the spices for a minute it makes a huge difference
- The chili continues to develop flavor so making it a day ahead is actually a brilliant move
03 -
- A dark beer added with the broth creates this incredible richness that everyone notices
- Grating your own cheddar instead of buying pre shredded makes such a difference in melting