AmericanMedium · Hot
Hearty Ground Beef and Bean Chili
A comforting, thick chili loaded with savory ground beef and hearty beans, simmered with warm spices. Perfect for game day or a cozy family dinner.
Prep
15 min
Cook
35 min
Total
50 min
Method
Prep
1
Dice the yellow onion and bell peppers. Mince the garlic cloves. Drain and rinse both the kidney beans and black beans.
Brown the Beef
2
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Build the Chili
3
Add the diced onion and bell pepper to the pot with the browned beef. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
Simmer the Chili
4
Add the tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together well. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and the flavors meld.
Serve
5
Ladle the chili into bowls. Top with shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Serve with crusty bread or cornbread on the side.
A
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -3
Calories
1086
per serving
High in protein · 75gSource of fibre · 31gLow sugar · 14g
Protein
75g
Carbs
104g
Fat
41g
Sat. fat
17g
Fiber
31g
Sugar
14g
Sodium
1362mg
Dairy FriendlyHeart HealthyHigh ProteinHigh Fiber
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
E
Environmental impact
Very high impact
A–E · lower is better · includes estimates
kg CO2e
12
per serving
ECarbonBEU all-round· carbon sets the grade
Water
0.9m³
Runoff
0.3g P
Ground Beef drives 91% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
7
Umami
4
Sweet
5
Salty
3
Sour
2
Bitter
5
Spicy
Textures
TenderHeartyCreamyThick
Aromas
EarthySmokyHerbalSavorySpicy
Kitchen Equipment
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Ground beef must reach minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) throughout. Use a meat thermometer to verify doneness before consuming.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw ground beef and vegetables. Wash hands thoroughly with soap after handling raw meat.
Storage
Cool chili to room temperature within 2 hours, then refrigerate in airtight containers. Use within 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Allergen Warning
This recipe contains dairy (cheese and sour cream). Omit both toppings for dairy-free serving or substitute with dairy-free alternatives.
High Risk Population
For immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, or elderly, ensure all meat components are cooked to proper temperature and leftovers are reheated to 165°F before consumption.
Handling
Drain excess fat from browned beef thoroughly before adding vegetables to prevent grease splatter and ensure proper texture.
Pro Tips
Technique
Browning the beef properly is everything, my friend. Don't rush it—let that meat sit in the Dutch oven long enough to get a good sear. All those little caramelized bits are flavor city, and they'll make your chili taste like it simmered for hours even when it only took forty minutes.
Substitution
Want to kick this up to my Italian roots? Toss in a handful of pancetta with the beef and swap half the tomato sauce for some crushed San Marzano tomatoes. It'll give you that deeper, richer tomato flavor that'll have everyone asking for seconds.
From the chef
Look, I grew up in a house where Sunday dinner wasn't Sunday dinner without a big pot of something simmering on the stove. This chili? It's got that same soul—just loaded up with ground beef and beans that'll stick to your ribs and warm you from the inside out. My wife always says the best nights are when the family gathers around bowls stacked high with cheese and there's not a single empty seat at the table.
TagsGame Day
AllergensMilk
Source: generated · June 10, 2026