One-Pot Chipotle Beef Chili with Black Beans
A smoky and hearty beef chili simmered with chipotle peppers and black beans, perfect for cozy dinners or game day gatherings. This mexican-inspired beef (high protein) ready in about 50 minutes turns ground beef, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 2 peppers, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 15 oz, drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped (for garnish) fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes, breaking apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 cloves minced garlic to the pot with the beef. Sauté for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with their juices, 15 oz drained and rinsed black beans, and 2 cups beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring chili to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Serve hot garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Chipotle Beef Chili with Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 One-Pot Chipotle Beef Chili with Black Beans?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Chipotle Beef Chili with Black Beans?
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 One-Pot Chipotle Beef Chili with Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 One-Pot Chipotle Beef Chili with Black Beans high protein?
Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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