Johnson's Hearty Chili

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

A robust, slow-cooked chili packed with ground beef, beans, and a hint of smokiness, ideal for cozy gatherings. This american-inspired beef ready in about 65 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, large, diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large, diced onion
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 1, diced green bell pepper
• 3 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 cup beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tbsp, chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, celery, and green bell pepper, and cook for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until the aroma fills the kitchen and the garlic turns golden.
3. Step 3: Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned with no pink remaining, then drain excess fat if needed.
4. Step 4: Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper, and cook for 1 minute until the spices bloom and coat the meat evenly.
5. Step 5: Add the drained kidney beans, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, tomato paste, and sugar. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Uncover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes until the chili thickens and the flavors meld. Stir in fresh cilantro before serving.