Robust Spicy Chili Stew (Printable)

A fiery stew with ground beef, beans, and vibrant spices, ideal for warming family dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

→ Canned & Pantry

07 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 2 (15 oz each) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
10 - 1 cup beef broth (240 ml equivalent)

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1.5 tsp salt, plus more to taste
17 - ½ tsp black pepper

→ Optional Toppings

18 - Sour cream
19 - Shredded cheddar cheese
20 - Chopped cilantro
21 - Sliced green onions
22 - Diced avocado

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeño if using. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Mix in tomato paste and cook another minute, stirring consistently.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes, drained kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir thoroughly to combine.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste and adjust salt or spices as desired. For thicker chili, simmer uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
08 - Serve hot with preferred optional toppings such as sour cream, cheddar cheese, cilantro, green onions, or avocado.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It gets better as it sits, so you can make it ahead and actually relax before guests arrive.
  • The spice blend builds layers of warmth without needing to hunt down obscure ingredients.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, which is honestly the best part of cooking for a crowd.
02 -
  • Don't skip the spice blooming step—cooking them in the oil and tomato paste for just one minute unlocks flavors that stay locked away if you just dump them in dry.
  • Rinsing your canned beans removes the starchy liquid that can make the chili taste metallic or off in a way people can't quite name.
  • This tastes noticeably better the next day as flavors mellow and marry together, so if you can make it ahead, you absolutely should.
03 -
  • The moment you smell that spice bloom is the moment you know you're not just cooking—you're about to make something people will remember.
  • Tasting as you go and adjusting salt and heat means you're in control of the final dish, not letting it control you.
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