A bowl of a hearty homemade chili topped with melted cheddar cheese, sour cream, and chopped green onions, served on a marble surface in bright natural lighting

Flavour Quest Recipes

Hearty Chili Recipe

This hearty chili is a comforting, slow-simmered dish packed with tender beef, beans, and bold spices. Rich, filling, and easy to customize, it’s perfect for cozy dinners, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings: 6

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

1 lb Ground beef or turkey for a lighter version
1 tbsp Canola oil
1 onion medium
3 Cloves garlic minced
1 Green bell pepper diced
1 can Kidney beans (15 oz) drained & rinsed
1 can Black beans (15 oz) drained & rinsed
1 can Tomato (28 oz) diced
2 tbsp Tomato paste
1 cup Beef broth or water
2 tbsp Chili powder
1 tsp Cumin ground
1 tsp Smoked paprika
1/2 tsp Oregano
1/2 tsp Salt to taste
1/4 tsp Black pepper
1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional) for spiciness
Cheddar cheese shredded (optional toppings)
Sour cream or Greek yogurt (optional toppings)
Green onion chopped (optional toppings)
Fresh cilantro (optional toppings)
Tortilla chips or cornbread on the side

Method

Sauté Aromatics
Heat canola oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Brown the Meat
Add ground beef to the pot. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add Seasonings
Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne. Cook for 1–2 minutes to toast the spices and enhance flavor.
Add Tomatoes and Beans
Mix in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth. Stir well to combine
Simmer
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30–35 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavorful.
Taste and Adjust
Taste and adjust seasonings if needed — add more salt, chili powder, or a dash of hot sauce for extra spice.
Serve
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Serve warm with tortilla chips or cornbread.

🔄 Variations

Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.

Make it spicy with extra chili powder or cayenne.

Add corn or bell peppers for sweetness and texture.

Skip the meat and double the beans for a vegetarian chili.

❄️ Storage

Store chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

It also freezes well for up to 3 months.

Thaw overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop.

Serving Suggestions

Serve in a bowl with a side of warm cornbread.
Top with avocado slices or jalapeño rings for an extra kick.
Perfect for meal prep — chili tastes even better the next day!

💡 Tip

Chili tastes even better the next day.

Let it rest overnight to allow the flavors to deepen before reheating.

Add a small square of dark chocolate while simmering to deepen the flavor.

For thicker chili, let it simmer uncovered for the last 10 minutes.

Double the batch — it freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.

❓ FAQs

Q: Can I make chili in advance?
A: Yes. Chili is ideal for make-ahead meals and reheats beautifully.

Q: Should chili be thick or soupy?
A: Hearty chili should be thick but spoonable. Simmer uncovered to reduce if needed.

Q: What toppings go well with chili?
A: Shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, or fresh cilantro all work well.

Want More Cozy Dinner Ideas?

If you loved this recipe, you’ll love my free Comfort Dinner Guide—packed with easy, satisfying weeknight meals.