Johnson's Homestyle Chili
A hearty, slow-simmered chili celebrating America's most common surname, featuring tender beef and smoky spices. This american-inspired slow cooker ready in about 65 minutes pairs ground beef, diced onions, minced garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 cup diced onions
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 (14.5 oz) can canned diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can, drained kidney beans
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 cup diced green bell peppers
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned, breaking into crumbles with a wooden spoon for 5-7 minutes until no pink remains.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup diced onions and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 3 minutes until onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 2 tbsp chili powder and 1 tsp cumin, stirring constantly for 1 minute until aromatic.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (with juice), 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 cup chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pot.
- Step 5: Bring to a gentle simmer, then add 1 (15 oz) can drained kidney beans and 1/2 cup diced green bell peppers. Reduce heat to low and cover, simmering for 45 minutes until flavors meld and chili thickens slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Johnson's Homestyle Chili take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 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 Johnson's Homestyle 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 Johnson's Homestyle 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 Homestyle 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 Homestyle Chili?
American slow cooker 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
