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Homemade Ground Beef Chili

Homemade Ground Beef Chili in a bowl topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped red onions, and green onions, served with tortilla chips on the side.
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This hearty Homemade Ground Beef Chili is a classic comfort food made with lean ground beef, crushed tomatoes, two types of beans, and a perfectly balanced blend of spices. It’s freezer-friendly, easy to make, and ideal for game day or weeknight dinners.

  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex
  • Diet: Low Lactose

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable, canola, or avocado oil
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 small green bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 2 pounds ground beef, 90% lean
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, or to taste
  • 2 cups low sodium beef broth
  • 28 ounces crushed tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)
  • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
  • 16 ounce can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 16 ounce can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, diced onion, sour cream
  • Optional sides: saltine crackers, Fritos, tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat.
  2. Add diced onion and bell pepper. Cook until softened, about 4–5 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef. Cook, breaking up meat, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
  5. Reduce heat to low and stir in tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce.
  6. Add chili powder, cumin, dry mustard, oregano, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well.
  7. Pour in beef broth, crushed tomatoes, brown sugar, and beans. Mix to combine.
  8. Increase heat to bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Uncover and simmer for an additional 10–15 minutes until thickened to your liking.
  10. Serve hot with toppings and sides of choice.

Notes

  • Use San Marzano tomatoes for a sweeter, less acidic flavor.
  • Skip the beans for a low-carb version and add extra vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.
  • Make a day ahead for deeper flavor development.
  • Chili can be frozen for up to 4 months.
  • Reheat gently with added broth or water if needed to adjust consistency.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipeshots.com/homemade-ground-beef-chili/