Best Homemade Chili Recipe
A hearty and flavorful homemade chili recipe featuring ground beef, kidney beans, and a rich blend of spices simmered to perfection. This chili is perfect for a comforting meal and can be easily customized with your choice of ground meat and spice level.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 2 pounds ground beef (or turkey)
Vegetables
- 2 small green peppers (about 2 cups diced)
- 1 small yellow onion (about 1 ½ cups diced)
Canned Goods
- 2 cans diced tomatoes (15-ounce cans)
- 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 6-ounce can tomato paste
- 2 cans kidney beans (drained and rinsed, 15-ounce cans)
Liquids
- 15 ounces water
Spices & Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 3 tablespoons cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ tablespoon salt
- 1 teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon baking soda (optional)
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large dutch oven, sauté the diced green peppers and yellow onions over medium heat until they become translucent and start to caramelize, which brings out their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Add Spices: Add all the seasonings except for the baking soda (chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, chipotle powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and white pepper) to the sautéed vegetables. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring continuously to release the spices’ aroma without burning them.
- Cook Ground Meat: Add the ground beef (or turkey) to the pot, breaking it up as it cooks. Brown the meat until it is just done, allowing some pink to remain before adding other ingredients to keep it moist and tender.
- Add Tomato and Liquid Ingredients: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste. Stir everything together to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat. Let it cook uncovered for about 15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add Beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans into the chili mixture.
- Add Baking Soda: Stir in the optional baking soda carefully; this will cause the sauce to bubble up. Continue stirring over medium heat until the bubbling subsides. This step helps reduce acidity and improves texture.
- Serve: Remove the pot from heat and serve the chili hot. Enjoy with your choice of toppings or sides.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust the cayenne and chipotle powder to control the heat level to your preference.
- Baking soda is optional but recommended if you want a smoother, less acidic chili.
- Cook the chili longer for a thicker consistency and more developed flavors.
- Serve with toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, or tortilla chips.
Keywords: chili, homemade chili, ground beef chili, kidney beans, spicy chili, comfort food
Find it online: https://cookwithruby.com/best-homemade-chili-recipe/
