Easy Beef Chili
Easy homemade beef chili recipe with lean meat, beans, and vegetables. Gluten-free, anti-inflammatory, and ready in under an hour.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef (93% lean)
- 2 medium yellow onions, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes, no sugar added
- 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
- Plain Greek yogurt for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains and the meat is golden brown, about 6-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the diced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they become soft and translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- 4
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant and the raw garlic smell dissipates.
- 5
Add the red bell pepper and zucchini, stirring well to combine with the meat mixture, and cook for 3 minutes to begin softening the vegetables.
- 6
Push the meat and vegetables to the sides of the pot and add the tomato paste to the center, cooking it undisturbed for 1-2 minutes to caramelize slightly, then stir everything together.
- 7
Pour in the diced tomatoes with their juice and the beef broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any flavorful browned bits.
- 8
Add the kidney beans, black beans, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf, stirring until all ingredients are well combined.
- 9
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and allow it to simmer uncovered for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 10
Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning with salt and black pepper as needed, remembering that flavors will intensify as it sits.
- 11
Remove the bay leaf and ladle the chili into bowls, garnishing with fresh cilantro and a dollop of Greek yogurt if desired.
Variations & Substitutions
| Ingredient | Substitute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ground beef (93% lean) | Ground turkey breast or plant-based ground meat | Turkey is even leaner than lean beef and reduces saturated fat and cholesterol, while plant-based options add fiber and reduce inflammation markers |
| 2 cans diced tomatoes in juice | 3 cups fresh diced tomatoes or 1 large can crushed tomatoes with no added sugar | Fresh tomatoes provide more antioxidants and lycopene, while reducing sodium from canned varieties; crushed tomatoes offer better texture control |
| Low-sodium beef broth | Homemade bone broth or vegetable broth | Bone broth contains collagen and gelatin beneficial for gut health, while vegetable broth reduces animal fat and sodium even further |
| 2 cans kidney and black beans (canned) | Cooked dried beans or a mix of lentils and beans | Dried beans and lentils have lower sodium, more resistant starch for better blood sugar control, and higher prebiotic fiber for improved gut health |
| Chili powder blend | Pure ancho chile powder plus individual spices | Pure chile powder reduces sodium and added sugars often found in commercial chili powder blends, while boosting anti-inflammatory capsaicin |
| Plain Greek yogurt topping | Cashew cream or avocado slices | Cashew cream and avocado provide healthy fats that enhance nutrient absorption and reduce inflammation; avocado adds potassium for blood pressure support |
Recommended Equipment
Tools that make this recipe easier
Nutrition Information
Per serving (serves 4)
| Calories | 445 |
| Total Fat | 14g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 58mg |
| Sodium | 480mg |
| Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Fiber | 11g |
| Sugar | 7g |
| Protein | 40g |
This recipe was extracted from the original video source using AI. Nutritional information is estimated and may vary. Not a substitute for professional dietary advice. As an Amazon Associate, AlmostChefs earns from qualifying purchases. Product links are affiliate links — they cost you nothing extra but help support the site. Read full disclaimer
