Chipotle Beef & White Bean Stew
A hearty, smoky keto stew featuring ground beef, cannellini beans, and a kick of chipotle, thickened with cream cheese for rich, velvety texture. This mexican-inspired soups ready in about 40 minutes turns ground beef, olive oil, diced tomatoes into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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
- 12 oz ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained cannellini beans
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 oz, cubed cream cheese
- 1/4 cup finely minced chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 12 oz ground beef, breaking it into small crumbles, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Stir in 1/4 cup minced chipotle peppers in adobo, 1 tsp cumin, and 1/2 tsp garlic powder. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 cup diced tomatoes and 1 cup chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained cannellini beans and 2 oz cubed cream cheese. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until the cream cheese melts and the stew thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, stir in 2 tbsp chopped chives, and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chipotle Beef & White Bean Stew take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Chipotle Beef & White Bean Stew?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chipotle Beef & White Bean Stew?
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 Chipotle Beef & White Bean Stew 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 Chipotle Beef & White Bean Stew?
Mexican soups 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
