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RecipesOctober 3, 2026 · 6 min read
Classic Homemade Chili
A hearty homemade chili of browned lean ground beef, sweet onion, bell peppers, kidney beans, and black beans simmered in tomato puree, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
A hearty homemade chili of browned lean ground beef, sweet onion, bell peppers, kidney beans, and black beans simmered in tomato puree, tomato sauce, and beef broth.
Classic Homemade Chili
Ingredients
Meat & Produce:
- 2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 medium sweet onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 2 jalapeño peppers, trimmed and halved (optional, for heat)
Canned & Liquids:
- 1 can (40.5 oz) light kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (28 oz each) tomato puree
- 1 jar (28 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) beef broth
Seasonings & Spices:
- 2 tbsp smoked chili powder
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- 01Brown the Meat: In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the lean ground beef until thoroughly browned. Drain excess fat.
- 02Sauté the Aromatics: Add the diced sweet onion and bell peppers to the pot with the beef. Cook for approximately 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften.
- 03Add Liquids & Beans: Stir in the drained kidney beans, black beans, tomato puree, tomato sauce, and beef broth until well combined.
- 04Season: Add the smoked chili powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to distribute the spices.
- 05Add Jalapeños (Optional): Submerge the jalapeño halves into the mixture to infuse a gentle heat during simmering.
- 06Simmer: Bring the chili to a boil, then immediately reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer gently for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- 07Finish & Serve: Remove jalapeno halves before serving, if desired. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm. We topped ours with some shredded cheese and some plain Greek yogurts.
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