Harlingen-Inspired Zesty Beef and Black Bean Chili
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 ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Step 6: Serve hot, garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and optionally topped with sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Harlingen-Inspired Zesty Beef and Black Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (10 min prep + 45 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 Harlingen-Inspired Zesty Beef and Black Bean Chili?
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 Harlingen-Inspired Zesty Beef and Black Bean Chili?
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 Harlingen-Inspired Zesty Beef and Black Bean Chili for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Harlingen-Inspired Zesty Beef and Black Bean Chili?
Mexican 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.
