One-Pot Spicy Beef Chili with Black Beans
A hearty and warming beef chili with black beans and smoky spices, perfect for a comforting dinner. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 50 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 420 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 15 oz, drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- optional, for serving sour cream
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook for 5-6 minutes, breaking it up until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 medium diced red bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Cook for 1 minute until spices are toasted.
- Step 4: Add 15 oz drained and rinsed canned black beans, 14.5 oz canned diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the mixture to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chili thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve topped with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Spicy Beef Chili with Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 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 Spicy Beef Chili with Black Beans?
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 Spicy 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 Spicy 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.
What goes well with One-Pot Spicy Beef Chili with Black Beans?
Latin American beef 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.
