Beef Chili Bowl

★★★★★
4.6(61 reviews)
Updated

Beef chili in a bowl — hearty, spicy, perfect for cold days. Better than canned. The trick is browning the beef properly and slow-simmering.

⏱

Prep Time

17 min

🔥

Cook Time

15 min

🍽

Servings

4

⚡

Calories

728 cal

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Beef Chili Bowl — homemade American fast food recipe with beef, beans, chili sauce, 4 servings, ready in 32 minutes
Fast Food
Hard

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Smart Servings Scaler

servings
  • Beef400 g
  • Beans1 cup
  • Chili Sauce1
  • Salt1 tsp
  • Black Pepper½ tsp
  • Cooking Oil1
  • Garlic3 cloves

All quantities scaled automatically from 4 servings.

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings · Use the Servings Scaler above to adjust

  • Beef400 g
  • Beans1 cup
  • Chili Sauce1
  • Salt1 tsp
  • Black Pepper0.5 tsp
  • Cooking Oil1
  • Garlic3 cloves

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large pot. Brown 1.5 lb ground beef with 1 chopped onion. Drain excess fat.

  2. 2

    Add 1 chopped bell pepper, 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 chopped jalapeño. Cook 4 minutes.

  3. 3

    Add 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon oregano, ½ teaspoon cinnamon (secret), 1 teaspoon cocoa powder (secret), 1 teaspoon salt. Cook 1 minute.

  4. 4

    Add 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes, 2 cans diced tomatoes (drained), 1 can drained black beans, 1 can drained kidney beans, 1 cup beef broth.

  5. 5

    Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Cook uncovered 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.

  6. 6

    Stir in juice of 1 lime. Serve in bowls topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced avocado, chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, crushed tortilla chips. Cornbread on the side.

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💡 Expert Tips

  • 1.Brown beef properly. Maillard depth.
  • 2.Cinnamon + cocoa are secrets.
  • 3.Long simmer. Concentrates flavors.
  • 4.Lime at end. Brightens.

🔬 Why It Works

Beef chili succeeds with proper browning (Maillard depth), complex spice blend (chili powder + cumin + paprika + cinnamon + cocoa), and long simmer (flavors concentrate). The toppings provide freshness contrast against the rich beef base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why cocoa?▾
Adds chocolate depth (Mexican tradition). Undetectable as cocoa, just adds richness.
Make ahead?▾
Yes — improves overnight. Keeps 4 days refrigerated, 3 months frozen.
Spice level?▾
Medium. Adjust jalapeño and chili powder.
Best sides?▾
Cornbread (classic), rice, baked potato. Tortilla chips for crunch.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (recipe makes 4 servings)

Calories728kcal
Protein17g
Carbohydrates35g
Fat9g
Fiber3g
Sugar8g

* Percent Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are estimates.

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