Best Ever Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 strips bacon
sliced ½-inch thick
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion
diced
- 1 green bell pepper
diced
- 3 garlic cloves
minced
- 2 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon paprika
or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 fire-roasted diced tomatoes
28-ounce can
- 1 black beans
15-ounce can
- 1 red kidney beans
15-ounce can
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 bay leaf
- Optional garnish: avocado
red onion, shredded cheese or sour cream
Directions
- 1
Heat a large pot on medium heat, add the sliced bacon and cook until crispy, stirring occasionally and scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, about 10 minutes. Reduce heat if bacon is browning too quickly.
- 2
Add the onion, and bell pepper to the pot, stirring frequently. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables have softened. Add the garlic and stir for another 30 seconds.
- 3
Add the ground beef, breaking into small pieces with a spatula, until cooked through. Strain off any accumulated liquid and fat from the pot.
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Stir in the tomato paste, and dried spices, and cook until they are fragrant, about 2 minutes.
- 5
Add the canned tomatoes with juices, drained beans, beef broth, and bay leaf. Give it a stir.
- 6
Increase the heat to high until the chili comes to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes uncovered, stirring occasionally.
- 7
To serve, remove bay leaf. Ladle servings into individual bowls. Garnish with avocado, red onion, cheese, cilantro or any other toppings.
Best Ever Chili Recipe
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Based on 323 ratings
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About this Recipe
Searching for that ultimate bowl of comfort that truly satisfies? This Best Ever Chili Recipe delivers a rich, hearty experience, blending savory meats and robust spices into a warming embrace that’s perfect for any occasion.
What sets this chili apart is the thoughtful combination of ingredients, starting with crispy bacon providing a smoky foundation. This meaty richness, layered with aromatic vegetables like onion and bell pepper, and a generous blend of chili powder, cumin, and paprika, creates a deeply complex flavor that develops beautifully as it simmers.
Prepare for a truly satisfying chili experience. You'll enjoy a thick, substantial texture packed with tender ground beef, two kinds of beans—black beans and red kidney beans—and soft, flavorful vegetables. The taste is a harmonious blend of savory, smoky, and subtly spicy notes, brightened by fire-roasted tomatoes and deepened by rich beef broth. It's the kind of comforting bowl that promises warmth and robust flavor in every spoonful.
Feel free to make this chili your own. For an extra smoky kick, ensure you use smoked paprika. If you prefer a different type of bean, great northern or pinto beans can easily be swapped for the black or kidney beans. Don't have fire-roasted tomatoes? The recipe notes you can use regular diced or crushed tomatoes instead, though you might miss a bit of that subtle char flavor.
This Best Ever Chili Recipe is ideal for a casual family dinner, game day spread, or a cozy weekend meal. Serve it piping hot with a variety of garnishes like creamy avocado, crisp red onion, shredded cheese, or a dollop of sour cream for the ultimate personalized bowl.