Smoked Mega Cavern Chili with Black Beans and Corn

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-24 · Updated 2026-05-24

Hearty chili slow-simmered with smoked tomatoes and sweet corn, inspired by Louisville’s underground Mega Cavern adventure. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 60 minutes, pairs olive oil, yellow onion, green bell pepper 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

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium, diced yellow onion
• 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1 lb ground beef
• 14 oz (smoked variety if available) canned diced tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
• 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups beef broth

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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 diced medium yellow onion and 1 diced medium green bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb ground beef, cooking until beef is browned and crumbled, about 7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in 14 oz smoked diced tomatoes, 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans, and 1 cup corn kernels.
4. Step 4: Season with 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
5. Step 5: Pour in 2 cups beef broth, stir well, and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili thickens and flavors meld.
6. Step 6: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving hot with optional toppings like sour cream or shredded cheese.