One-Pot Southwestern Beef and Black Bean Chili
A hearty and spicy chili combining ground beef, black beans, and smoky chipotle peppers, simmered to perfection in one pot. This mexican-inspired beef (gluten free) ready in about 45 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, diced yellow onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 peppers, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- for serving lime wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, for 5-6 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pot, sautéing for 4 minutes until the onion is translucent and garlic is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 1 minute until spices are aromatic.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with their juices, 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, and 1 1/2 cups beef broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 25 minutes until the chili thickens.
- Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Serve with lime wedges for squeezing over individual portions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Southwestern Beef and Black Bean Chili take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 Southwestern Beef and Black 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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Southwestern Beef and Black 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 One-Pot Southwestern Beef and Black Bean Chili 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 Southwestern Beef and Black Bean Chili gluten free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
