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Best Classic Chili Recipe Tomato Red With Green Crema 1762417878.576273

best classic chili recipe Tomato-Red With Green Crema


  • Author: Nicole Martinez
  • Total Time: 80 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
  • Diet: General

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

  1. Prep Your Veggies: Dice 1 large onion and 1 bell pepper, and mince 3 cloves of garlic.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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).
  7. 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