My take
Good ol’ comfort food at its finest. Perfect on a chilly, rainy day when you want the house to smell like you’ve got life handled. Even better with freshly made cornbread on the side. Confidence in a bowl.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
Steps
- Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6–7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
- Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5–10 minutes before serving.
Cook’s notes
- Chili powder brand matters. Different brands vary a lot in heat. McCormick is flavorful without being spicy.
- Toppings: Cheddar, sour cream, green onions, crackers, or diced avocado. Set them out and let people build their bowl.
- Leftovers: Fridge up to 5 days, or freeze up to 3 months.
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