Simmered Texas Beef Chili with Beans
A hearty, slow-simmered chili with ground beef, kidney beans, and a blend of warm spices, perfect for chilly evenings. This american-inspired soups ready in about 50 minutes pairs pound Ground beef, large, diced Onion, minced Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 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 pound Ground beef
- 1 large, diced Onion
- 4 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1, diced Bell pepper
- 14.5 ounces Diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces), drained and rinsed Kidney beans
- 2 cups Beef broth
- 2 tablespoons Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large diced onion, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 diced bell pepper, and cook until softened (about 5 minutes).
- Step 2: Add 1 pound ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Step 4: Add 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, 1 can (15 ounces) drained and rinsed kidney beans, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Texas Beef Chili with Beans take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 min prep + 30 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 Simmered Texas Beef Chili with 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 pound ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Texas Beef Chili with 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 Simmered Texas Beef Chili with 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 Simmered Texas Beef Chili with Beans?
American soups 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This chili was a hit at my family potluck! The beef melted into the beans perfectly, and the smoky depth was amazing.
- ★★★★★
Loved the authentic Texas twist—just enough spice to warm you up on a cold evening. Made it for my in-laws, and they’re asking for the recipe!
- ★★★★☆
Great base recipe, but I’d add a splash more cumin next time—felt slightly bland at first.