Description
Hearty chili from The Pioneer Woman brings robust southwestern flavors to comfort dinners. Savory beef, rich spices, and robust beans create a soul-warming meal you’ll crave on cool evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) ground beef (80% lean)
Beans:
- 15 ounces (425 grams) kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 15 ounces (425 grams) pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cloves garlic (diced)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup masa harina (white or yellow)
- 8 ounces (226 grams) tomato sauce
- 14.5 ounces (411 grams) diced tomatoes, with juice (for Instant Pot)
Toppings:
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Sour cream
- Lime wedges
- Tortilla chips or Fritos
- Diced green onions
Instructions
- Brown ground beef in a large pot over medium heat, breaking it into crumbly pieces until no pink remains, then drain excess fat thoroughly.
- Introduce minced garlic and sauté for one minute, releasing its aromatic essence.
- Pour in tomato sauce and sprinkle chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper, stirring to create a robust flavor base.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow the chili to simmer gently for approximately 60 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
- If the mixture becomes too dense, incorporate ½ cup water to maintain ideal consistency.
- Create a thickening slurry by whisking masa harina with water until smooth, then integrate into the chili and cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Fold in kidney and pinto beans, letting them warm through for 10 minutes and absorb the surrounding spices.
- Transfer the hearty chili into serving bowls, embellishing with shredded cheese, dollops of sour cream, and crunchy tortilla chips for textural contrast.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity for spice-sensitive individuals.
- Opt for lean ground beef or turkey to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version.
- Enhance depth of flavor by toasting spices briefly before adding to the pot, releasing more intense aromatics.
- Prepare chili a day ahead as flavors develop and intensify during refrigeration, making it even more delicious when reheated.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (or 4-6 hours slow cooker, or 20 minutes Instant Pot)
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg