Stovetop Beef and Black Bean Chili with Chipotle
A rich and smoky stovetop chili made with ground beef, black beans, and chipotle peppers, simmered until thick and flavorful. This latin american-inspired beef ready in about 50 minutes turns (80% lean) ground beef, medium, diced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 6, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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 (80% lean) ground beef
- 1 medium, diced yellow onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed canned black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 peppers, minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup chopped, for garnish fresh cilantro
- optional, for serving sour cream
- optional, for serving shredded cheddar cheese
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 lb ground beef. Cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, for 6-8 minutes until browned and no longer pink.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 2 minced chipotle peppers in adobo, and 2 tbsp tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes until spices are fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 can (15 oz) drained and rinsed black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 1 cup beef broth, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 25 minutes until chili thickens.
- Step 5: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot garnished with 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and optional sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stovetop Beef and Black Bean Chili with Chipotle take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Stovetop Beef and Black Bean Chili with Chipotle?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stovetop Beef and Black Bean Chili with 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 Stovetop Beef and Black Bean Chili with Chipotle 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 Stovetop Beef and Black Bean Chili with Chipotle?
Latin 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.
