Poker Night Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Beans
A hearty beef chili infused with smoky chipotle peppers and rich spices, perfect for sharing with friends during a game night. This Mexican-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs ground beef, olive oil, 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 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 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 peppers, minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped for garnish fresh cilantro
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tsp cumin powder, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Add 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 oz) drained kidney beans, and 1 cup beef broth. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 6: Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Poker Night Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Beans take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 Poker Night Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and 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 Poker Night Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and 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 Poker Night Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Beans 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 Poker Night Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle and Beans?
Mexican 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.
