There’s something so comforting about a bowl of hearty Beef and Bean Chili also known as Chili Con Carne. It’s warm, filling, and full of flavor, with tender ground beef, soft beans, and rich tomatoes all cooked together with chili powder, cumin, and a touch of smoked paprika. The aroma alone makes your kitchen feel cozy and inviting.
Every spoonful is a little taste of home, meaty, slightly spicy, and hearty, with beans that stay soft but still hold their shape. It’s thick enough to scoop up with tortilla chips, or you can serve it with rice, cheese, sour cream, or fresh cilantro if you like.
What makes this chili so great is how easy it is to make and how satisfying it feels. It’s not fancy, just simple ingredients coming together to make something truly delicious. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, a casual gathering, or even meal prep for the week, it’s the kind of dish that warms you from the inside out. Cozy and flavorful this chili is the kind of comfort food that makes everyone happy.
How to make Beef and Bean Chili
Begin with sautéing the aromatics. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, then add the onion and garlic. Cook until soft and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
Next, brown the meat. Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
Then, add the vegetables and spices. Stir in the red bell pepper and tomato paste, cooking for 2–3 minutes to deepen the flavors. Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper, stirring to coat everything evenly.
Afterward, add the liquids and beans. Pour in the diced tomatoes and broth, then add the kidney and black beans. Stir in brown sugar if using.
Next, simmer the chili. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and the flavors meld.
Finally, adjust the seasoning to taste and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
I hope you will try this Beef and Bean Chili. If you do, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram, I would love to see how it turns out for you. Enjoy!
Other recipes you may like to try
This Meat and Potato Skillet is a hearty one-pan dinner with tender potatoes, juicy beef, and warm spices, comforting, filling, and ready in no time.
These Beef Quesadillas are stuffed with seasoned beef and melty cheese, a quick, family-friendly meal everyone loves.
You have to try these fun Layered Tortilla Kebab Skewers: stacked with beef, tortillas, and veggies, a playful twist on classic flavors.
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Beef and Bean Chili – Chili con Carne
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp (30g) olive oil
- 1 large onion , finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (or a mix of beef and pork)
- 1 red bell pepper , chopped
- 2 tbsp (30g) tomato paste
- 28 oz (800g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (14 oz – 400g) kidney beans , drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz – 400g) black beans , drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup (200ml) beef or chicken broth
- 2 tsp (6g) chili powder
- 1 tsp (3g) smoked paprika
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper , optional, adjust to taste
- Salt and pepper , to taste
For Garnish
- Fresh cilantro or parsley
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Shredded cheese
- Sliced jalapeños
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add onion and garlic.
- Cook until soft and fragrant, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add ground beef.
- Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in red bell pepper and tomato paste. Cook 2–3 minutes to deepen flavors.
- Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat evenly.
- Pour in diced tomatoes and broth. Add kidney and black beans. Stir in brown sugar if using.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the beans and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes, until the chili thickens and flavors meld.
- Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.
