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smoky three-bean ground beef chili recipe - Smoky Three-Bean Ground Beef Chili served in a white bowl overhead view
Chloe

Smoky Three-Bean Ground Beef Chili

smoky three-bean ground beef chili recipe made easy at home. A deeply smoky, perfectly spiced chili loaded with three kinds of beans and tender ground beef th
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 520

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 lbs ground beef (80/20) preferably grass-fed
  • 1 large yellow onion diced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder divided
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, adjust to heat preference
  • 2 (15-oz) cans crushed fire-roasted tomatoes undrained
  • 1 (6-oz) can tomato paste
  • 1 (15-oz) can kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-oz) can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 (15-oz) can pinto beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups beef broth (low sodium)
  • 2 whole chipotle peppers in adobo sauce minced, plus 2 tbsp adobo sauce
For Serving (optional)
  • to taste shredded cheddar cheese omit for dairy-free
  • to taste sour cream or Greek yogurt omit for dairy-free
  • to taste sliced jalapeños
  • to taste chopped cilantro
  • to taste diced avocado
  • to taste lime wedges

Method
 

  1. Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reads 160°F (71°C), about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary (leave about 1 tbsp for flavor).
  2. Push beef to the edges of the pot. Add diced onion and cook until softened, 4–5 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Sprinkle 1 tbsp chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and cayenne over the meat and onion mixture. Stir constantly for 30 seconds to toast the spices and intensify their flavor.
  4. Stir in tomato paste, minced chipotles, and adobo sauce. Cook 2 minutes, then add crushed tomatoes, all beans, beef broth, and remaining 1 tbsp chili powder. Stir to combine.
  5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened and flavors meld. Remove lid during last 10 minutes if you want it thicker.
  6. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and heat level. Ladle into bowls and serve with desired toppings.