Cajun-Spiced Beef Chili with Roasted Corn and Black Beans
Hearty beef chili with smoky Cajun spices, sweet roasted corn, and creamy black beans for a satisfying comfort meal. This american-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp cajun seasoning
- 1 1/2 cups fire-roasted corn kernels
- 1 1/2 cups cooked or canned, drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 6-7 minutes until browned and cooked through. Remove excess fat if necessary.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until onion is softened and translucent.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 1/2 cups fire-roasted corn kernels, 1 1/2 cups drained black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes, and 1 1/2 cups beef broth. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until chili thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve hot with your favorite chili toppings.
Equipment for this recipe
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Spiced Beef Chili with Roasted Corn and Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun-Spiced Beef Chili with Roasted Corn and Black Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced Beef Chili with Roasted Corn and Black Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun-Spiced Beef Chili with Roasted Corn and Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cajun-Spiced Beef Chili with Roasted Corn and Black Beans?
American beef like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
