Urban Hike Spiced Kansas City Chili
A hearty chili with a blend of spices and beans, inspired by the diverse urban trails and neighborhoods of Kansas City. This american-inspired beef ready in about 55 minutes pairs ground beef, medium, diced yellow onion, medium, diced green bell pepper 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 medium, diced yellow onion
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed kidney beans
- 1 can (15 oz), drained and rinsed black beans
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
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 heat. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and 1 medium diced green bell pepper, sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes.
- Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Step 5: Add 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, 1 can (15 oz) black beans, 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juices, 2 tbsp tomato paste, and 1 cup beef broth. Stir well to combine.
- Step 6: Bring chili to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cover. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld.
- Step 7: Adjust seasoning with additional salt or chili powder if desired before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Urban Hike Spiced Kansas City Chili take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 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 Urban Hike Spiced Kansas City Chili?
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 Urban Hike Spiced Kansas City Chili?
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 Urban Hike Spiced Kansas City Chili 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 Urban Hike Spiced Kansas City Chili?
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.