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Award-Winning Beef and Bean Chili: Best Homemade Recipe

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A thick, dark, and deeply spiced beef and bean chili that balances hearty texture with complex, smoky flavors. This award-winning recipe uses simple pantry staples and specific techniques like blooming spices and proper browning to create a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
  • 1 large yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 2 cans (14.5 oz each) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups beef broth (low sodium)
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Dice the onion finely and mince the garlic. Set aside.
  2. Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat with a splash of olive oil. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink (5-7 minutes), draining excess fat if necessary.
  3. Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onions to the beef and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika over the meat and onions. Stir constantly for 1 minute to bloom the spices.
  5. Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Pour in beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release browned bits.
  6. Add fire-roasted tomatoes, black beans, and kidney beans. Stir well and bring to a boil.
  7. Reduce heat to low, cover partially, and simmer gently for at least 45 minutes, preferably 1.5 hours, stirring occasionally.
  8. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. If too thin, simmer uncovered for 15 minutes. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

For a thicker chili, mash a few beans against the side of the pot. The flavors improve if made ahead and refrigerated overnight. If using lean beef, the chili may be drier. For a spicy kick, add diced jalapeños or cayenne pepper. A square of dark chocolate can be added for richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: beef chili, bean chili, award-winning recipe, slow cooker chili, comfort food, game day food, gluten-free chili, homemade chili

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/award-winning-beef-and-bean-chili-best-homemade-recipe/