This robust chili recipe combines savory ground beef with a hearty blend of aromatics and spices for a deeply satisfying meal. Designed for the stovetop, it delivers complex layers of flavor that develop beautifully within an hour of simmering. It serves as a perfect foundation for family dinners or large gatherings where quality and comfort are top priorities.
List of ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound seasoned plant-based beef-style crumbles
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
step-by-step instructions
- Step: Heat a large pot over high heat. Add the beef, seasoned plant-based crumbles, onions, garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the meat is browned.
- Step: Add the chili powder and continue cooking for 1 minute.
- Step: Add the broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to an energetic simmer.
- Step: Cook uncovered for 40-60 minutes until the chili has reached your desired thickness.
- Step: In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the kidney beans.
- Step: Taste and season with extra salt and pepper as necessary. Enjoy!
Refining the Texture and Body
Managing the Simmer Consistency
Achieving the perfect thickness is a matter of patience and heat management. If you find the liquid is reducing too quickly, cover the pot partially with a lid to trap more steam. Conversely, if you prefer a thicker chili, maintain that energetic simmer longer to evaporate more moisture until the sauce clings to the spoon.
The Role of Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is more than just a coloring agent; it serves as a critical thickening component. By adding it to the pot before the liquid, it caramelizes slightly with the meat, which helps to concentrate the tomato flavor and ensures a velvety, rich body in the finished dish. Never skip this ingredient as it is the secret to a professional-quality texture.
Flavor Balancing Tactics
Achieving the Five Taste Profiles
A balanced bowl of chili relies on hitting multiple taste receptors: savory, salty, sweet, sour, and a touch of bitterness. The beef provides the savory foundation, while the salt in the broth anchors the dish. The sugar cuts through the sharpness of the tomatoes, and the green peppers provide that essential hint of bitterness that makes the dish feel sophisticated.
Bloom Your Spices Early
Adding the chili powder directly to the hot meat and fat before adding the liquid is a technique called blooming. The heat releases the fat-soluble compounds in the spices, making them significantly more aromatic and potent than if they were stirred into the cold liquid. This small step ensures the spice flavor permeates every bite of the beef.
Ingredient Selection Advice
Choosing the Best Beans
While kidney beans are a classic choice for their size and starch content, you can easily experiment with other varieties. Cannellini beans offer a creamier, softer bite, while black beans provide a earthier flavor. Regardless of the type chosen, always rinse and drain them well to remove excess canning liquid and starch, which can make the chili cloudy.
Selecting Ground Meat
Opt for lean ground beef to ensure the chili doesn’t become overly greasy, as the fat can obscure the delicate interplay of spices. If you happen to use a higher-fat blend, be sure to drain the excess fat after browning the meat in the first step. This ensures that the final product is rich in flavor rather than heavy in oil.
Serving Suggestions
Building the Ultimate Topping Station
When serving this chili, offering a variety of toppings allows guests to customize their bowl. Freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a dollop of cool sour cream, and thinly sliced scallions provide a refreshing contrast to the heat of the chili. Crispy corn chips or warm cornbread also act as excellent vessels for scooping up the thick sauce.
Creative Presentation
Consider serving the chili in hollowed-out bread bowls for a hearty, restaurant-style presentation. You can also ladle the chili over baked potatoes or use it as a flavorful base for a taco salad. The density of this recipe makes it versatile enough to stand up to almost any savory accompaniment.
Storage and Preservation
Managing Leftovers
This chili is famous for tasting even better the next day as the spices have more time to meld. Allow the chili to cool completely before transferring it to airtight glass or plastic containers. It will maintain its quality for up to four days when stored properly in the back of the refrigerator.
Freezing for Future Meals
Chili is an ideal candidate for freezing. Ladle the cooled chili into freezer-safe bags, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. It can be frozen for up to three months; simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop over low heat until it reaches a gentle simmer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this chili ahead of time?
Yes, preparing this chili in advance is highly recommended. The flavors continue to develop and harmonize while the dish sits in the refrigerator, often resulting in a more cohesive and deeper flavor profile when reheated the next day.
What is the best way to adjust the spice level?
If you prefer a milder chili, reduce the chili powder by one tablespoon or look for a “mild” labeled powder blend. For those who enjoy extra heat, incorporate a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne powder during the spice-blooming stage.
Why did my chili turn out too watery?
This usually happens if the chili was not simmered long enough or if the heat was too low to encourage evaporation. Ensure that you maintain an energetic, bubbling simmer throughout the cooking process and leave the pot uncovered to allow excess water to escape efficiently.
Can I swap the ground turkey for another protein?
Yes, you can use ground chicken or a meat-free plant-based crumble as a direct substitute. If using a leaner alternative like chicken, keep a close eye on the cooking time as it may require slightly less time to brown compared to the heavier beef.
Is it necessary to use beef broth?
Beef broth provides the most authentic flavor for this dish, but vegetable broth can be used as a substitute if that is what you have available. Ensure the broth is well-seasoned, as the liquid contributes significantly to the overall salt and umami balance of the finished meal.
Print
Robust Ground Beef and Bean Chili
- Total Time: 70 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: High Protein
Description
I don’t care how many chili recipes you’ve tried- mine is the best. I’ve made it more times than I can count, and my wife still says it’s the best she’s ever had. Made with ground beef, savory plant-based beef-style crumbles, fresh veggies, and canned beans, it hits all the right notes for a perfect bowl of chili.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ pound seasoned plant-based beef-style crumbles
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained
Instructions
- Step: Heat a large pot over high heat. Add the beef, seasoned plant-based crumbles, onions, garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Cook for 7-8 minutes until the meat is browned.
- Step: Add the chili powder and continue cooking for 1 minute.
- Step: Add the broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to an energetic simmer.
- Step: Cook uncovered for 40-60 minutes until the chili has reached your desired thickness.
- Step: In the last 10 minutes of cooking, add the kidney beans.
- Step: Taste and season with extra salt and pepper as necessary. Enjoy!
Notes
Using a high-quality beef broth provides a deep, savory foundation for this dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg