Description
This classic chili recipe is a comforting, hearty meal featuring a rich tomato base, ground beef, and beans, topped with a bright, tangy green crema. It’s an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing dinner perfect for busy families.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.5 tsp cayenne (optional)
- 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained
- 2 (15 oz) cans pinto beans, drained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 0.5 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
- Pinch salt (for crema)
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies: Dice 1 large onion and 1 bell pepper, and mince 3 cloves of garlic.
- Brown the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown 1.5 lbs lean ground beef over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes. Break it up with a spoon until no pink remains, then drain excess fat.
- Saute Aromatics: Add diced onion and bell pepper to the pot; saute for 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Toast Spices: Stir in 2 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 0.5 tsp cayenne (optional). Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until deeply aromatic.
- Add Liquids & Beans: Add 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes, 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (undrained), two (15 oz) cans drained kidney beans, two (15 oz) cans drained pinto beans, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir everything together.
- Simmer to Perfection: Bring chili to a gentle simmer, reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened. (If it looks too dry, add 0.25 cup broth).
- Prepare Green Crema: While chili simmers, blend 0.5 cup sour cream (or Greek yogurt), 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, 1 Tbsp lime juice, and a pinch of salt in a small food processor until smooth and bright green.
Notes
Don’t rush simmering; let flavors meld for at least 30 minutes. Always brown meat fully before adding other ingredients for maximum flavor. For a plant-based option, use crumbles and dairy-free sour cream. Prep veggies the night before for an even quicker meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 340g)
- Calories: 350 calories
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
Keywords: classic chili, comfort food, easy dinner, beef chili, green crema, hearty meal, family-friendly, tomato-red, quick dinner
