Smoky Three-Bean Chili

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-22 · Updated 2026-04-22

A deeply flavorful chili simmered with three varieties of beans and smoky spices, ready in under an hour for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This American-inspired one-pot recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs ground beef, black beans, kidney beans 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. 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 can (15 oz), rinsed black beans
• 1 can (15 oz), rinsed kidney beans
• 1 can (15 oz), rinsed pinto beans
• 1 large, diced onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• to taste salt
• to taste black pepper

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes.
3. Step 3: Stir in diced tomatoes, chicken broth, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Add black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans, stirring to combine. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally until flavors meld.
5. Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning, then serve hot with optional corn on the cob.