Go Back
–+ servings
Close-up of a white bowl filled with rich, thick Classic Beef and Bean Chili, featuring ground beef and kidney beans.

Classic Beef and Bean Chili

This recipe provides instructions for making a hearty beef and bean chili suitable for cold weather dinners or game day food. It simmers slowly to develop flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 bowls
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 395
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2.5 tablespoons chili powder, divided or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes (1 can)
  • 19 ounces canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1.5 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup beer Can be replaced with extra broth.
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar optional
  • to taste salt and black pepper

Equipment

  • Large pot

Method
 

  1. Combine the ground beef with 1.5 tablespoons of chili powder.
  2. In a large pot, brown the ground beef mixture, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any rendered fat.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 45 to 60 minutes, or until the chili reaches your desired thickness.
  4. Top the chili with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro, or other toppings you prefer before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 395kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 29gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 283mgPotassium: 1066mgFiber: 7gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 870IUVitamin C: 26.2mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 6.2mg

Notes

The serving size for this recipe is 1.5 cups.
You can substitute any ground meat for the beef if you wish.
Optional toppings include sour cream, red or green onion, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado and lime wedges, or tortilla chips.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!