This easy ground beef chili recipe with beans is a hearty, comforting dinner made with seasoned ground beef, tender beans, tomatoes, and warm spices. It comes together with simple ingredients and straightforward steps, making it a practical choice for busy weeknights. Serve this homemade chili with cornbread, rice, or your favorite toppings for a satisfying family meal.
Why This Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe With Beans Works
This easy ground beef chili recipe with beans brings together everything you want in a comforting homemade dinner: savory browned beef, tender beans, tomatoes, and a flavorful blend of spices. The ingredients simmer together so the chili develops a rich, hearty flavor without requiring complicated cooking techniques.
One reason this recipe works well for busy weeknights is its simple preparation. The ground beef cooks quickly, while canned beans and tomatoes make it easy to build a satisfying chili without hours of prep. A gentle simmer allows the flavors to come together and gives the chili a thick, spoonable texture.
It is also easy to customize. You can adjust the level of heat, add extra vegetables, or change the type of beans depending on what you have available. For another comforting beef dinner, you can also try the Easy Ground Beef Casserole Recipe.
What Goes Into This Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe With Beans
The ingredients for this easy ground beef chili recipe with beans are simple, affordable, and easy to find. The combination of ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices creates a rich and hearty base, while a few fresh ingredients add extra depth of flavor.
Ground Beef and Aromatics
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Tomatoes and Beans
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
Optional Toppings
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Sliced green onions
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Jalapeño slices
- Lime wedges
The beans provide extra texture and substance, while the combination of chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika gives the chili its warm, savory character. If you prefer a milder chili, reduce the chili powder and leave out the jalapeño topping.
How to Make Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe With Beans
Making this chili is straightforward. The key is to brown the beef well before adding the tomatoes and beans, then let everything simmer gently so the flavors have time to develop.
Brown the Beef and Build the Base
Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3–4 minutes, until softened.
Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it browns. Continue cooking until there is no visible pink meat.
Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for about 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until the spices become fragrant.
Add the Tomatoes and Beans
Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, kidney beans, and black beans.
Stir everything together and bring the chili to a gentle simmer.
Let the Chili Simmer
Reduce the heat to low and partially cover the pot. Let the chili simmer for about 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
If the chili becomes thicker than you prefer, add a small splash of beef broth. If you want a thicker consistency, continue simmering uncovered for a few additional minutes.
Finish and Serve
Taste the chili and adjust the salt, pepper, or chili powder as needed. Remove it from the heat and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Spoon the hot chili into bowls and add your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, avocado, or jalapeños.
How to Make Your Ground Beef Chili Rich, Thick, and Flavorful
A few simple cooking techniques can make a noticeable difference in the final texture and flavor of your chili. These tips are especially useful when preparing an easy ground beef chili recipe with beans for a weeknight meal.
Brown the Beef Well
Give the ground beef enough time to brown before adding the tomatoes. Good browning adds a deeper savory flavor to the chili. Break the beef into small pieces as it cooks, but avoid stirring constantly.
Cook the Aromatics Before the Beef
Cooking the onion until softened before adding the beef gives the chili a sweeter, more developed flavor. Fresh garlic should be added near the end of this step so it does not burn.
Let the Chili Simmer Gently
A gentle simmer allows the tomatoes, beef, beans, and spices to blend together. Keep the heat low enough that the chili bubbles steadily without boiling aggressively.
Adjust the Thickness
For thicker chili, simmer uncovered for several additional minutes so excess liquid can evaporate. If the chili becomes too thick, add a small amount of beef broth and stir until it reaches the consistency you prefer.
Taste Before Serving
Chili can change significantly as it simmers. Taste it near the end and adjust the salt, chili powder, cumin, or black pepper if needed. Adding seasonings gradually gives you better control over the final flavor.
Give It a Short Rest
Let the finished chili sit for about 5 minutes before serving. This gives the sauce a chance to settle and makes the texture slightly thicker and more cohesive.
Easy Ways to Customize This Ground Beef Chili
One of the best things about homemade chili is how easily you can adjust it to suit different tastes. Once you have the basic combination of ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and spices, there are plenty of simple ways to make the recipe your own.
Make It Spicier
For more heat, add diced jalapeños, extra chili powder, cayenne pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can also serve sliced fresh jalapeños on the side so everyone can control the spice level.
Add More Vegetables
Diced bell peppers, zucchini, corn, or carrots can add extra texture and flavor. Add firmer vegetables with the onion so they have enough time to soften during cooking.
Change the Beans
Kidney beans and black beans make a hearty combination, but you can replace either with pinto beans, cannellini beans, or another variety you enjoy. Using different beans is an easy way to change the texture while keeping the recipe simple.
Make It Extra Hearty
For a more filling meal, serve the chili over cooked rice or baked potatoes. You can also top each bowl with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, avocado, or green onions.
Adjust the Seasoning
If you prefer a deeper smoky flavor, add a little extra smoked paprika. For a warmer spice profile, increase the cumin slightly. Add seasonings gradually and taste as you go so the chili does not become overly salty or spicy.
What to Serve With This Easy Ground Beef Chili Recipe With Beans
This hearty chili is filling on its own, but the right side dishes can make it feel like a complete family dinner. Choose something simple that complements the rich tomato and beef flavors without competing with the chili.
Cornbread and Bread
Warm cornbread is a classic choice because its slightly sweet flavor pairs beautifully with savory chili. Crusty bread, dinner rolls, or garlic bread also work well for soaking up the flavorful sauce.
Rice and Potatoes
Serve the chili over steamed white or brown rice for an extra-hearty meal. A baked potato is another good option, especially when topped with chili, shredded cheese, and a spoonful of sour cream.
Fresh and Simple Sides
A green salad, sliced avocado, or a simple vegetable side can add freshness to the meal. Roasted or steamed broccoli is also an easy option if you want to include more vegetables. For another simple beef dinner featuring crisp vegetables, try the Easy Beef and Broccoli Recipe.
Favorite Chili Toppings
Set out a selection of toppings and let everyone customize their bowl. Shredded cheddar, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, jalapeños, avocado, and lime wedges are all flavorful additions.
easy ground beef chili recipe with beans
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, until softened.
- Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart as it browns. Cook until no visible pink remains.
- Add the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for about 1 minute.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, kidney beans, and black beans. Stir well.
- Bring the chili to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.
- Partially cover and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If the chili is too thick, add a small splash of beef broth. For thicker chili, simmer uncovered for a few additional minutes.
- Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed.
- Remove from the heat and let the chili rest for about 5 minutes.
- Serve warm with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions, cilantro, avocado, jalapeños, or lime wedges.
- Cook ground beef to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
Notes
- Brown the ground beef well for deeper flavor.
- Avoid adding too much liquid at once; you can always add more broth later.
- Simmer gently rather than boiling aggressively.
- Use kidney beans and black beans together or substitute your preferred beans.
- Add bell peppers, corn, zucchini, or carrots for extra vegetables.
- Reduce the chili powder for a milder chili.
How to Store and Reheat This Ground Beef Chili
This chili is convenient for meal prep because the flavors often become even more developed after resting. Store leftovers properly so they stay fresh and easy to enjoy later.
Refrigerating Leftover Chili
Allow the chili to cool slightly, then transfer it to airtight containers. Refrigerate leftovers promptly and use them within 3–4 days.
For easier meal prep, divide the chili into individual portions before refrigerating. This makes it simple to reheat only what you need.
Reheating on the Stove
Place the desired portion in a saucepan and warm it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If the chili has thickened in the refrigerator, add a small splash of beef broth or water to loosen it.
Heat until the chili is steaming hot throughout, then serve with your favorite toppings.
Reheating in the Microwave
For a quick option, place a portion in a microwave-safe bowl and cover loosely. Heat in short intervals, stirring between each interval, until heated through.
Can You Freeze Ground Beef Chili?
Yes. Once cooled, transfer the chili to freezer-safe airtight containers or bags and freeze for up to about 2–3 months for the best quality. Thaw it in the refrigerator before reheating.
The texture may become slightly softer after freezing, but the chili should still make a convenient and flavorful make-ahead meal.
FAQs
Why Does My Chili Taste Better the Next Day?
The spices and other ingredients have more time to blend as the chili rests. This can give the flavors a deeper, more cohesive taste when reheated.
What Toppings Go Best With Ground Beef Chili?
Popular choices include shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, green onions, fresh cilantro, diced avocado, jalapeños, and lime wedges. You can offer several toppings so everyone can customize their bowl.
How Do I Make This Chili Less Spicy?
Reduce the chili powder and skip cayenne pepper, jalapeños, or red pepper flakes. You can also balance the finished chili with toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheese, or avocado.
More Easy Beef Recipes to Try
If you enjoy hearty homemade beef dinners, there are several other recipes on FatiRecipes worth adding to your meal plan. Each one offers a different way to turn simple beef ingredients into a satisfying family meal.
For a comforting pasta-based option, try the Easy Ground Beef Pasta Recipe, which combines seasoned ground beef, tomato sauce, pasta, and melted cheese.
If you’re looking for something with a creamy sauce, Easy Beef Stroganoff Recipe is another cozy choice with tender beef, mushrooms, and egg noodles.
These recipes can help you build a simple rotation of easy beef dinners for busy weeknights.
Ground Beef Food Safety Tips
Because this recipe uses ground beef, it is important to check the meat with a food thermometer rather than relying only on its color or appearance. The USDA recommends cooking ground beef to a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
For more detailed guidance on cooking temperatures and safe handling, see the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service guide to safe internal temperatures. This is a useful reference when preparing ground beef recipes at home.
A Hearty Easy Ground Beef Chili for Any Night
This easy ground beef chili recipe with beans is a simple way to make a warm, satisfying dinner with everyday ingredients. Seasoned ground beef, tender beans, tomatoes, and spices come together in one pot for a flavorful meal that is easy to customize.
Serve it with cornbread, rice, or your favorite toppings, and save the leftovers for an easy lunch or dinner later in the week. Whether you’re cooking for your family or preparing meals ahead, this homemade chili is a comforting recipe worth keeping in your regular rotation.
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