Texas-Style Beef Chili with Kidney Beans
A hearty chili featuring ground beef, kidney beans, and a blend of spices, simmered to perfection. This american-inspired beef ready in about 65 minutes pairs ground beef, olive oil, medium, finely diced onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, finely diced onion
- 1, finely diced green bell pepper
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup, chopped (optional) cilantro
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces with a spoon.
- Step 2: Add 1 medium onion, finely diced, 1 green bell pepper, finely diced, and 2 cloves garlic, minced. Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, 1 cup beef broth, 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Step 5: Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro if desired, and serve hot.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Texas-Style Beef Chili with Kidney Beans take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 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 Texas-Style Beef Chili with Kidney 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 ground beef from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Texas-Style Beef Chili with Kidney 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 Texas-Style Beef Chili with Kidney 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 Texas-Style Beef Chili with Kidney Beans?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Simple, flavorful, and hearty—exactly what I wanted for a cold evening. Kidney beans were a great choice.
- ★★★★★
Made this for game night, and the whole family devoured it! The kidney beans gave it that authentic Texas heartiness.
- ★★★★★
My wife, a chili skeptic, said this is the best she's ever had. The beef and beans were perfectly balanced.
