Description
This Healthier Ground Beef Chili is a flavorful and nutritious dish featuring lean ground beef, a medley of beans, and fire-roasted tomatoes, simmered with aromatic spices to create a comforting and hearty meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 3 cups beef broth
- 14 ounces (1 can) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 14 ounces (1 can) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 14 ounces (1 can) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the diced red onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Add tomato paste, kosher salt, smoked paprika, ground cumin, chili powder, and ground black pepper. Stir and sauté for 1 minute to blend the flavors.
- Brown the Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pot, breaking it apart with the back of a spoon. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink.
- Add Liquids and Beans: Pour in the beef broth, kidney beans, black beans, and fire-roasted diced tomatoes. Stir everything together and increase the heat to bring the mixture to a low boil.
- Simmer the Chili: Cover the pot and let it simmer for 15 minutes on medium-low heat. Once the mixture begins to bubble, reduce heat to low, remove the lid, stir, and continue simmering for an additional 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chili thickens and flavors meld.
- Serve or Store: Serve the chili immediately hot, or let it cool and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days for meal prep convenience.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to keep this chili healthier and lower in fat.
- For a spicier chili, add extra chili powder or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Drain and rinse canned beans to reduce sodium and improve texture.
- Leftover chili tastes even better the next day as flavors continue to develop.
- This chili pairs well with shredded cheese, sour cream, or avocado slices as toppings.
