Spiced Texas-Style Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle
A hearty and warming beef chili infused with smoky chipotle peppers and traditional Texan spices, perfect for a comforting meal. This American-inspired beef recipe, ready in about 70 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 380 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
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 peppers, chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup water
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, for 6-7 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 4 minced garlic cloves to the beef. Sauté together for 4 minutes until the onion softens and the mixture is fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and 3 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly until the tomato paste darkens slightly and becomes aromatic.
- Step 4: Pour in 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups beef broth, and 1/2 cup water. Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed kidney beans, 2 tsp ground cumin, 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Step 5: Bring the chili to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld together.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Spiced Texas-Style Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (15 min prep + 55 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 Spiced Texas-Style Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle?
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 Spiced Texas-Style Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle?
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 Spiced Texas-Style Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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 Spiced Texas-Style Beef Chili with Smoky Chipotle?
American 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.
