A Homemade Beef Chili Recipe that’s healthy, hearty, filling, and so delicious! Made with lean ground beef, beans, diced tomatoes, and chili spices. This easy beef and bean chili makes for a perfect weeknight dinner recipe the whole family will enjoy.
This recipe for homemade beef chili is easy to put together, thick, hearty, and can be made on your stovetop or slow cooker. This protein-packed chili recipe is made with lean ground beef, beans, and the perfect blend of seasonings. Also, this classic chili recipe may be a bit spicy for some so, for a mild version, we recommend skipping on the cayenne pepper and using one tablespoon of mild chipotle powder or some paprika and cumin.
Also, we have included a substitution for the chipotle peppers in the recommended substitutions further down. Make this healthy ground beef chili and enjoy it for lunch or dinner any day of the week! They are perfect for those who love to meal prep.
Use lean beef, but not super lean meat. The best ground beef for chili has some fat, so 85% lean is ideal. Don’t be tempted to use extra-lean beef or drain off the fat after browning the meat. The fat bastes the meat during cooking, which adds richness to the sauce and keeps the meat moist.
Ingredients Needed for beef chili
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: or you may use avocado oil
- White Onion: white or sweet onions, yellow onions, or purple onions will work
- Garlic Cloves: use fresh garlic cloves and not garlic powder
- Tomato Purée (paste): we used canned tomato paste
- Lean Ground Beef: go with the leanest ground beans you can get your hands on
- Chili Seasonings: Chili Powder, Ground Cumin, Dried Oregano, Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper (optional), Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Broth: beef broth or chicken broth
- Bell Peppers: we used red bell peppers and we prefer red over green. Yellow works too
- Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce
- Red Kidney Beans, one can, drained, you may use other beans you have on hand
- Chopped/Diced Tomatoes: we used canned diced tomatoes, but you may also use chopped fresh vine-riped tomatoes.
Why you should make this homemade chili
- Healthy and filling: This classic beef bean chili recipe is perfectly hearty and healthy with clean ingredients. Made with lean ground beef and beans for added protein and fiber. A perfectly complete meal that will keep you full and satisfied for hours.
- So easy to make: making this chili is so easy. Whether you choose to cook it on your stove top of slow cooker. It will take a little prep time and just let it cook.
- Delicious: Robust and Bursting with flavor. Hearty and delicious.
The Ultimate Guide to Perfecting Your Homemade Chili
FAQ
Is 80 20 ground beef good for chili?
What cut of beef is best for chili?
Is 80 20 ground beef lean or medium?
How lean should ground beef be?
How do you make a beef chili taste better?
Opt for 85% lean; the fat enriches the meat, enhancing the dish’s overall flavor and texture. And don’t stress about the fat—post-cooking, it’s easy to skim off any excess. Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the beef by locking in moisture, making it more succulent. Also accelerates browning, resulting in a more flavorful, tender chili.
How much protein is there in 100 grams of lean beef?
For every 100g of lean meat, there is an average of 32g to 35g of protein, in addition we have 7g of lipids, 84mg of cholesterol and 4. 3g of saturated fat.
Is beef bean chili healthy?
They are perfect for those who love to meal prep. Healthy and filling: This classic beef bean chili recipe is perfectly hearty and healthy with clean ingredients. Made with lean ground beef and beans for added protein and fiber. A perfectly complete meal that will keep you full and satisfied for hours. So easy to make: making this chili is so easy.
How do you make chili with ground beef?
Use ground beef with a higher fat content. Fat equals flavor, so 80% to 85% lean ground beef are good choices for chili. Cook the tomato paste. This is the key to really getting flavor from tomato paste. Plan to cook the tomato paste until it takes on a deep red flavor and is fragrant; the process takes just a few minutes. Bloom the spices.