Description
This hearty, family-friendly chili features a homemade seasoning mix for deep flavor, complemented by a vibrant, cooling Lime-Chipotle Swirl. This weeknight meal comes together quickly in about an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.5 tsp maple sugar (or brown sugar)
- 0.5 tsp sea salt
- 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb lean ground beef (or plant-based crumble)
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, undrained (fire-roasted if available)
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 15 oz canned kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or black beans)
- 1.5 cups vegetable broth
- 0.75 cup water
- 0.5 cup full-fat plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt/sour cream)
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 0.5 tsp fresh lime zest
- Pinch of sea salt (for the swirl)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, maple sugar, sea salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well and set aside.
- Brown the Beef: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until fully browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion to the pot and cook until softened (about 5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Build Chili Base: Stir in the prepared seasoning mix and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly, allowing the spices to toast and the tomato paste to deepen in color.
- Simmer Chili: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with juices), rinsed kidney beans, vegetable broth, and water. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30-45 minutes (stirring occasionally). For richer flavor, simmer up to 1.5 hours.
- Prepare Lime-Chipotle Swirl: While the chili simmers, combine plain yogurt, chipotle powder, fresh lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Serve and Garnish: Taste and adjust seasonings in the chili. Ladle hot chili into bowls and top with generous dollops of the Lime-Chipotle Swirl. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.
Notes
To achieve a deeper flavor, let the chili simmer for a minimum of 30-45 minutes. For maximum richness, simmer up to 1.5 hours. The homemade seasoning mix provides superior results to store-bought packets. Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 350 g)
- Calories: 260 calories
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: chili, homemade seasoning mix, ground beef, weeknight dinner, comfort food, lime chipotle swirl, easy recipe, stovetop chili