Johnson's Hearty Beef & Bean Chili
A slow-simmered chili packed with tender ground beef, kidney beans, and smoky spices, perfect for chilly evenings. This american-inspired beef ready in about 75 minutes pairs pound ground beef, medium, diced onion, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 345 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 ground beef
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 can (15 ounces), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 pound ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it into small crumbles with a wooden spoon until no pink remains.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves, stirring constantly for 3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can drained kidney beans, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until flavors meld and the chili thickens slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Johnson's Hearty Beef & Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 75 minutes (15 min prep + 60 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 Johnson's Hearty Beef & 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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Johnson's Hearty Beef & 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 Johnson's Hearty Beef & 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 Johnson's Hearty Beef & Bean Chili?
American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
