Hearty Chili Bowl (Printable Version)

A warm, flavorful chili with beans and spices served atop rice or grains with tasty toppings.

# What You Need:

→ Chili Base

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 pound ground beef
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 cup corn kernels
12 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
19 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Serving

20 - 2 cups cooked rice or grains

→ Toppings

21 - Shredded cheddar cheese
22 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
23 - Sliced green onions
24 - Chopped cilantro
25 - Diced avocado
26 - Jalapeño slices
27 - Lime wedges

# How to Make:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and diced bell peppers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, allowing flavors to develop.
05 - Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine.
06 - Pour in beef broth, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - While chili simmers, cook rice or grains according to package instructions.
08 - Spoon cooked grains into bowls and ladle chili over the top. Add desired toppings and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can go from hungry to satisfied without much fuss.
  • The whole pot tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests.
  • You control the heat and toppings, so everyone at your table gets exactly what they want.
02 -
  • Always drain and rinse canned beans unless you want your chili to be thinner and washed out, which I learned the hard way my first attempt.
  • Don't skip browning the meat properly because it's where all the depth comes from, and rushing past it leaves your chili tasting flat.
03 -
  • Cook the chili uncovered for the last 10 minutes if it seems too watery, letting excess liquid evaporate and the flavors concentrate.
  • Taste the chili before serving and adjust salt and spices one more time since flavors shift as things simmer together.
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