Harlingen-Inspired Zesty Beef and Black Bean Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-22 · Updated 2026-05-22

This hearty chili draws inspiration from Texas flavors with tender beef, smoky chipotle, and creamy black beans simmered in a rich tomato sauce. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ground beef, yellow onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 6, 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 medium, diced yellow onion
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup, for garnish chopped fresh cilantro
• optional, for serving sour cream
• optional, for serving shredded cheddar cheese

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened and translucent.
2. Step 2: Add 3 cloves minced garlic and 1 lb ground beef to the pot, breaking up the meat with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until beef is browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp kosher salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans to the pot. Stir to combine.
5. Step 5: Bring chili to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until flavors meld and chili thickens.
6. Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and optionally topped with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.