High-Protein Beef and Black Bean Chili with Cornbread
A hearty and nutritious beef chili loaded with black beans, topped with a moist cornbread crust for a satisfying high-protein meal. This american-inspired beef (high protein, gluten free option) ready in about 70 minutes pairs pound lean ground beef, medium yellow onion, diced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, canned
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium heat and add 1 pound lean ground beef. Cook for 6-7 minutes, breaking the meat apart until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot; sauté for 4-5 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) drained black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 tablespoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 tablespoon sugar.
- Step 5: In a separate bowl, beat 1 large egg with 3/4 cup milk and 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Step 6: Pour chili into a 9-inch ovenproof dish. Spread the cornbread batter evenly over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cornbread topping is golden and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Step 7: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does High-Protein Beef and Black Bean Chili with Cornbread take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (20 min prep + 50 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 High-Protein Beef and Black Bean Chili with Cornbread?
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 pound lean ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in High-Protein Beef and Black Bean Chili with Cornbread?
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 High-Protein Beef and Black Bean Chili with Cornbread 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.
Is High-Protein Beef and Black Bean Chili with Cornbread high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein, gluten free option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
