Chili con Carne Spicy Stew (Printable)

Hearty stew featuring beef, beans, tomatoes, and chili spices with savory toppings for warming meals.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 or lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)

→ Canned & Pantry

07 - 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
08 - 2 (15 oz each) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
09 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
10 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1.5 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
17 - 0.5 tsp black pepper

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, minced garlic, red and green bell peppers, and jalapeño if using. Sauté for 5 to 6 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until aromatic.
04 - Add tomato paste and cook, stirring continuously for 1 minute.
05 - Pour in diced tomatoes, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir to combine thoroughly.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - Taste and add salt or spices as desired. For a thicker texture, simmer uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
08 - Ladle hot chili into bowls and garnish with preferred toppings such as sour cream, shredded cheddar, cilantro, green onions, or diced avocado.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together faster than you'd expect, with actual simmering time doing most of the work while you relax.
  • The flavor deepens and improves as it sits, so you can make it ahead and reheat it without any guilt.
  • One pot means minimal cleanup, and the customizable toppings mean everyone gets exactly what they want.
02 -
  • Don't skip the spice toasting step—it's the difference between chili that tastes flat and chili that tastes complex and deep.
  • The chili will taste even better tomorrow after the flavors have had time to marry overnight in the fridge.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning just before serving, since salt and heat levels can surprise you as the chili sits.
03 -
  • Brown the meat aggressively in a screaming hot pot to get maximum browning and depth of flavor before adding vegetables.
  • If your chili tastes one-dimensional, add a pinch of salt or a small squeeze of lime juice just before serving to brighten everything.
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