Classic Beef Chili with Cumin and Smoked Paprika

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-08 · Updated 2026-05-08

A hearty and warming chili featuring ground beef simmered with aromatic cumin, smoked paprika, and tomatoes for deep flavor. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs ground beef, olive oil, yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 15 oz can, drained and rinsed kidney beans
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering. Add 1 finely chopped medium yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper to the pot. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Increase heat to medium-high and add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
4. Step 4: Stir in 14 oz crushed tomatoes, 15 oz drained and rinsed kidney beans, 1 cup beef broth, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cover. Let simmer gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens and flavors meld.