Hearty Beef Chili Recipe with Rich Smoky Flavors (Print Version)
Hearty beef chili recipe with tender chunks, rich tomato base, and warm spices. This comforting one-pot meal feeds a crowd and tastes better the next day.
# Recipe Info:
Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 2 Hours 30 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Intermediate
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-free
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
2 lbs chuck roast, cut into 1-inch chunks
02 -
2 large yellow onions, diced
03 -
2 bell peppers, diced
04 -
6 garlic cloves, minced
→ Seasonings & Spices
05 -
2 tbsp chili powder
06 -
1 tbsp ground cumin
07 -
1 tsp smoked paprika
08 -
1 tsp dried oregano
09 -
2 bay leaves
10 -
Salt and black pepper to taste
→ Liquid Base
11 -
28 oz can crushed tomatoes
12 -
2 tbsp tomato paste
13 -
2 cups low-sodium beef broth
14 -
2 cans dark kidney beans, drained and rinsed
→ Optional Toppings
15 -
Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
16 -
Sour cream
17 -
Green onions, sliced
18 -
Fresh cilantro
19 -
Avocado slices
# Instructions:
01 -
Cut chuck roast into 1-inch chunks and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in large pot over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches, 4-5 minutes per side, until well-seared. Don't crowd the pot.
02 -
In same pot, cook onions and bell peppers for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant. Scrape up browned bits from bottom.
03 -
Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, and oregano. Toast 30 seconds. Add crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and splash of broth. Scrape up remaining browned bits.
04 -
Return beef to pot with juices. Add remaining broth and bay leaves. Bring to boil, reduce to low, cover and simmer 1.5 hours until beef is tender.
05 -
Add kidney beans and adjust seasonings. Continue simmering uncovered 30-45 minutes until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
06 -
Remove bay leaves and taste for final seasoning adjustments. Let rest off heat 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
# Notes:
01 -
Brown the beef in small batches to get proper searing-this creates the flavor foundation.
02 -
This chili tastes even better the next day, so make it ahead when possible.
03 -
Add a splash of broth when reheating as it thickens considerably in the fridge.
04 -
A square of dark chocolate added in the last 30 minutes creates incredible depth of flavor.
# Tools You'll Need:
01 -
Large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven
02 -
wooden spoon
03 -
sharp knife
04 -
cutting board
# Nutrition Facts (Per Serving):
Calories: 385
Total Fat: 18g
Total Carbohydrate: 22g
Protein: 35g