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
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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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.
