Simmered Coney Island Chili with Ground Beef and Warm Spices

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-29 · Updated 2026-06-29

A rich, mildly spiced chili sauce simmered with ground beef and aromatic seasonings, perfect as a topping for Detroit-style hot dogs or fries. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs ground beef, yellow onion, garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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
• 1 small (about 100g), finely chopped yellow onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
2. Step 2: Add 1 small finely chopped yellow onion (about 100g) and sauté for 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until aromatic.
4. Step 4: Add 1 lb ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
5. Step 5: Mix in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; stir to coat beef evenly.
6. Step 6: Pour in 1 1/2 cups water, bring to a gentle simmer, and reduce heat to low.
7. Step 7: Cook uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and flavors meld.
8. Step 8: Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm over hot dogs, fries, or your favorite base.