Best Beef Chili Recipe
This beef chili recipe is packed with tender beef, smoky bacon, beans, and a special blend of spices, with a secret touch of brown sugar that takes the flavor to the next level. Whether you’re cooking for a cozy night in or feeding a crowd, this hearty chili will quickly become your go-to comfort food. Easy to make, flavorful, and perfect for those busy nights when you need a warm, satisfying meal!
Ingredients
- 10 strips uncooked bacon chopped
- 1 large yellow onion finely diced
- 8 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper a sprinkle
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 ½ cup beef broth
- 15 oz can dark red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
- 28 oz can diced fire-roasted tomatoes undrained
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups frozen corn thawed
Toppings
- sour cream
- shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- toasted baguettes for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients: Rinse and drain the red kidney and black beans. For the frozen corn, place it in a microwave-safe bowl, cover with water, and microwave until thawed. This way, everything will be ready to add to the chili.
- Cook the bacon: Place chopped (uncooked) bacon in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Cook until crispy and cooked through. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and drain all but 2 tablespoons of grease, reserving it in the Dutch oven.
- Sauté onions & garlic: Add onion into the pot of bacon grease and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
- Brown the beef & season: Add ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once the meat is partially (about 50%) browned, add brown sugar, tomato paste, and all the spices (chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, onion powder, salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cayenne pepper). Stir well to coat the beef in the seasonings.
- Combine remaining ingredients: Add beef broth, drained kidney beans and black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes with juices, Worcestershire sauce, corn and your cooked bacon. Stir everything together.
- Simmer & develop flavors: Increase the heat to high and bring the chili to a boil for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Then, add your bay leaf on top and reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, uncovered, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to deepen and the chili to thicken.
- Remove bay leaf & serve: Discard the bay leaf. Serve the chili with a dollop of sour cream, freshly shredded sharp cheddar, and crusty toasted baguette for dipping.