Easy Joy Of Cooking Chili Recipe: Warm, Hearty Comfort

Chili represents the ultimate comfort food that warms hearts and satisfies hungry souls.

Hearty and bold, this classic dish brings people together around steaming bowls of deliciousness.

Robust spices dance with tender meat, creating layers of rich, complex flavors that tantalize taste buds.

Home cooks treasure this meal for its adaptability and crowd-pleasing characteristics.

Generations have embraced this recipe as a symbol of warmth and culinary connection.

Regional variations add intrigue and personal flair to this beloved staple of American cuisine.

Passionate chefs understand that great chili transcends mere ingredients, transforming into a memorable dining experience: dive in and savor every spoonful.

Chili Worth Craving: Why You’ll Love It

• Savor Quick Comfort: This chili recipe delivers hearty satisfaction in just one hour, perfect for busy home cooks craving a delicious meal without spending all day in the kitchen.
• Boost Flavor Layers: The methodical cooking process – starting with sautéed garlic and onions, then browning beef, and finally simmering with beans and spices – creates deep, complex taste profiles that dance across your palate.
• Customize Your Bowl: Flexible recipe allows easy adjustments like controlling thickness with broth and topping with cheese, green onions, and sourdough, making each serving a personalized culinary experience that suits individual preferences.
• Nutrition in a Pot: Packed with protein from ground beef, fiber-rich kidney beans, and balanced with aromatic spices, this chili offers a wholesome one-pot meal that satisfies hunger and provides balanced nutrition in every comforting spoonful.

Essential Ingredients for a Satisfying Chili

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein that adds rich, meaty flavor to the chili. Choose lean ground beef for a healthier option.

• Garlic, Onions: Foundational ingredients that create a deep, savory base. Fresh garlic and onions provide the most robust flavor.

• Kidney Beans: Protein-packed legumes that add texture and substance. Canned beans work well when drained and rinsed.
• Chopped Tomatoes: Provides moisture and tangy flavor to the chili. Canned diced tomatoes are convenient and consistent.
• Beef Broth: Adds liquid and enhances the overall meaty flavor. Low-sodium broth allows better control of salt content.

• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall taste of the chili.
• Chili Powder: Gives the signature warm, spicy kick to the dish.

• Cooking Oil: Creates a base for sautéing vegetables and browning meat. Neutral oils like vegetable or canola work best.

• Sourdough Bread: Serves as a tasty accompaniment to soak up the chili.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh, sharp flavor and visual appeal.
• Shredded Cheese: Provides creamy texture and additional richness.

Step-by-Step to a Hearty Chili

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

Gather and chop 2-3 cloves of garlic and 1 medium onion into small pieces. Drain and rinse 1 can of kidney beans. Dice 1 can of tomatoes. Having ingredients ready makes cooking smoother and more enjoyable.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics

Heat of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chopped onions and garlic, cooking until they become translucent and fragrant (about 3-4 minutes). This creates a flavorful foundation for your chili.

Step 3: Brown Ground Meat

Add of ground beef to the pot. Cook and break the meat into small crumbles until it’s completely browned and no pink remains (approximately 5-6 minutes). Drain excess fat if desired.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients

Pour in kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and of beef broth. Stir ingredients together to create a harmonious mixture.

Step 5: Season Chili

Sprinkle salt, chili powder, and optional ground cumin. Mix well to distribute spices evenly.

Step 6: Simmer and Adjust

Reduce heat to low and let chili simmer for 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally. If too thick, add more broth; if too thin, continue cooking uncovered to reduce liquid.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped green onions
• Sourdough bread on the side

Serve hot and enjoy your homemade chili!

Pro Tips for Award-Worthy Chili

• Simmer Strategically: Allow chili to develop deep flavors by cooking slowly over low heat, letting ingredients meld together perfectly.
• Balance Heat Wisely: Layer spices gradually, tasting between additions to control overall chili's warmth and complexity.
• Fat Management Matters: Remove excess grease after browning meat to prevent greasy texture and enhance clean, robust taste.
• Texture Transformation Trick: Sprinkle cornmeal sparingly to naturally thicken sauce without compromising authentic chili consistency.
• Final Flavor Fine-Tuning: Conduct last-minute seasoning adjustments, considering salt, spice levels, and overall taste profile before serving.

Leftovers Done Right: Storing Your Chili

• Deep Freeze Method: Portion cooked chili into individual serving-sized freezer bags or containers. Press out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Label each container with the date and contents. Freeze flat for efficient storage and quick thawing. Chili maintains peak flavor and texture for 3-4 months when properly sealed.
• Vacuum Sealing Technique: Use a vacuum sealer for maximum freshness and extended storage. Remove all air to prevent oxidation and freezer crystals. This method can preserve chili's quality for up to 6 months. Ideal for meal preppers and big batch cooks who want long-lasting, restaurant-quality preservation.
• Glass Container Strategy: Transfer chili to thick-walled glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Choose wide-mouth jars for easy filling and cleaning.

Spice It Up: Chili Variations

• Vegetarian Bean Blast: Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or extra beans like black beans and pinto beans for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Spicy Southwest Kick: Add jalapeños, chipotle peppers, and increase chili powder for a fiery version that brings intense heat and smoky flavor.
• Turkey Lean Machine: Replace ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter, lower-fat chili that maintains rich, hearty taste while reducing calories.
• Slow Cooker Champion: Transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker after initial sautéing and let it simmer on low for 6-8 hours, developing deeper, more concentrated flavors.

Chili Finale: Closing Thoughts

Classic chili recipes connect generations through rich culinary traditions passed down with care.

Homemade comfort meals like this classic recipe spark warmth in kitchens worldwide.

Spicy aromas wafting through dining spaces signal delicious memories waiting to unfold.

Balanced ingredients create memorable dining experiences that satisfy deep hunger and emotional cravings.

Want more delectable recipe adventures?

Scroll, share, comment, and spread chili love across social networks – you’ll inspire countless kitchen explorers eager to master this timeless comfort classic.

Joy Of Cooking Chili Recipe

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4.5 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 58 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired chili brings robust flavors from ground beef, beans, and spices that simmer into a hearty comfort meal. Warm spices and rich tomato base create a soul-satisfying dish perfect for family dinners or weekend gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 can 15 ounces (425 grams) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can 14.5 ounces (411 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste

Garnishes:

• Shredded cheese
• Chopped green onions
• Sour cream

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prep ingredients by finely dicing garlic and onions. Drain and rinse kidney beans thoroughly, then dice tomatoes into uniform chunks. Organize all components for efficient cooking workflow.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent and fragrant, creating an aromatic flavor foundation.
3. Introduce ground beef to the pot, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until completely browned and no pink remains, ensuring proper meat preparation.
4. Incorporate drained kidney beans, diced tomatoes, and 2 cups (473 milliliters) beef broth. Stir ingredients to combine and distribute flavors evenly.
5. Season the mixture with 1 teaspoon (5 grams) salt, 2 tablespoons (30 grams) chili powder, and 1 teaspoon (5 grams) ground cumin. These spices will develop a robust and complex flavor profile.
6. Reduce heat to low and allow chili to simmer uncovered for 35-40 minutes. Monitor liquid consistency, adding additional beef broth if needed to prevent excessive thickening.
7. Taste and adjust seasonings, ensuring balanced flavor intensity. If desired, add optional heat with cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
8. Serve hot, garnishing with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Accompany with warm sourdough bread for a complete meal experience.

Notes

• Customize Heat Levels: Dial up or tone down the spiciness by playing with chili powder and cayenne amounts to match your personal flavor preference.
• Control Beef’s Richness: Removing excess fat after browning ensures a lighter, cleaner-tasting chili without sacrificing deep meaty flavors.
• Master Browning Technique: Sear ground beef until it develops a golden-brown crust, which locks in savory notes and creates a robust foundation for your dish.
• Final Flavor Balancing: Sample your chili right before serving, tweaking salt and spices to create a perfectly harmonized taste profile.
• Quick Texture Rescue: When your chili seems too thin, sprinkle in cornmeal to naturally thicken the consistency and add subtle corn undertones.

• Prep Time: 18 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg