Ok, so this seems like a long list of ingredients, however, its really just a bunch of cans of beans!! This recipe for easy hearty beef chili makes a ton of chili, so it’s perfect for potlucks, tailgating, or simply freezing for additional meals.
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Jump to RecipeAlthough, this recipe makes a ton, quality is not lost on the amount this makes, this easy hearty beef chili is so good! I’m serious when I say I’ve been making this exact recipe for more than 20 years! It’s a classic and everyone comes knocking when they know this is on the stove!
The flavors of this chili are warm and full of the zestiness of tomatoes mixed with a generous amount of chili powder. Perfect for those chilly Fall or Winter days and an excellent meal prep meal that can be used later in the week for stuffed peppers when mixed with rice, or Chili Mac if you add in some cooked macaroni noodles. I love mine covered with cheese and sour cream. I enjoy mine with crackers, but others in my household must have Fritos or tortilla chips 0n hand!
This is the perfect big pot for making all this chili, trust me, you will need a big pot!Ingredients for Easy Hearty Beef Chili
I typically use ground chuck for my chili but I have been known to use a 50/50 blend of beef and turkey when I want to make it a more healthy version. You could use ground venison if you have that on hand, or even add some sausage to the mix for added flavor.
All the beans!! I love beans beans!! So in this recipe for easy hearty beef chili, I call for light and dark red, white and black. You can add whatever mixture you want or have on hand. I think the important part here is that you use a lot of beans. This chili is really more heavy on beans than meat. That is a personal preference, if you like a more meaty chili, then by all means, double it up!
For the tomato element I use regular tomato sauce in a can, and diced tomatoes. You can use large or petite diced tomatoes. I like the added chunks of tomatoes in my chili, if that is not your preference than you can omit that and just add an extra 15 ounces of tomato sauce.
I think adding green peppers and onions are a must in chili. I know some people are not partial to green peppers, for those people I cut them up very fine. If the chili was just for me, I would cut my peppers into 1 inch slices as I love the green peppers!!
When it comes to chili powder this recipe calls for quite a bit, mostly because I like my chili to taste like chili, not just beef with tomato sauce. I prefer darker blends of chili powder that have been smoked for added flavor. Trust, the difference between good chili and great chili is the quality and amount of chili powder you add!
For the beef broth I typically stick to Better than Broth beef broth or LB Jamison’s, I think they both have excellent flavor and can really add some depth and layers to the flavor of your chili.
The seasonings I add can vary, but traditionally I stick to garlic and onion powder. You can always use fresh or minced garlic if you have it on hand. I like the added flavors of oregano and cumin to really build the flavor profile of this chili. Then the all important smoked paprika. I love smoked paprika, I think it really adds a great smokiness to this recipe and I would not omit this if I had it on hand.
Red chili pepper flakes is one of the control points for the spice level of this chili. There is already a lot of flavor in everything else you have already added, but if you like an extra kick of spice, definitely add the chili pepper flakes.
Putting it together…
I start by prepping all of my ingredients, chopping the onions and peppers and getting all my spices out.
Then I start browning the beef and when it is just brown I strain it and then throw my peppers and onions into the pot I cooked the beef in and let them saute for a few minutes until they are nice and soft.
I add in my fresh garlic if I have it on hand, then I throw the strained beef back in the pot.
Then I literally just dump the remaining ingredients in the pot and stir it up.
I like to let this easy hearty beef chili simmer for at least 30 minutes, but the longer you let those flavors meld the better!
Check out some of my other Easy Dinner Ideas!
Spicy Beef Chili
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings30
minutes30
minutes1
hourIngredients
2 lbs Ground Beef
1 can light red kidney beans
1 can dark red kidney beans
1 can great northern bean
1 can black beans (optional)
2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
1 15 oz can diced canned tomatoes
1 green pepper diced
1 large white onion diced or 2 small
1 Tbsp garlic minced
3/4 Cup Chili Powder (more or less to taste) I like this Dark Chili Powder
2 to 3 cups beef broth
1 Tbsp. Garlic Powder
1 Tbsp. Onion Powder
1 Tbsp. Oregano
1 Tbsp. Cumin
1 Tbsp. Smoked Paprika (optional)
1 tsp Red Chili pepper flakes (optional)
1 Tbsp. Salt (more to taste, this is big pot of chili, so don’t be afraid to season it up!)
1 Tbsp. Pepper
Large Cooking Deep Pot
Directions
- Finley chop the onions and pepper.
- I like to use gadgets; I would recommend this Food Chopper for easy prep.
- Begin by browning the beef completely and drain grease from it in a strainer.
- Add the onions, garlic and green peppers to pan while beef is draining.
- Saute for a minute or two.
- Add beef back to put and stir for another minute.
- Add the beans, tomato sauce, and diced tomatoes.
- Add the remaining seasonings.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. I like to use my hand to measure large tablespoons of each.
- Next add the beef broth. I like to use this kind for the generous beefy flavor. Use 2 or 3 cups depending on how thick or thin you like your chili.
- Allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes.
- Suggested serving with some cheddar cheese and sour cream on top with crackers, tortilla chips, or Fritos!
Notes
- This makes a ton of Chili! Great to keep in the freezer! Also good mixed with rice for chili stuffed peppers.
- Chili powder and red chili pepper flakes can be adjusted depending on the level of spice you prefer.
- This chili is easily made into a delightful vegetarian chili by simply eliminating the beef and beef broth and replacing it with a couple extra cans of beans.
