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The Ultimate Easy Ground Beef Stovetop Chili

Close-up of a white bowl filled with rich, thick chili featuring ground meat and kidney beans.

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This simple, one-pot ground beef chili delivers rich, comforting flavor in just 30 minutes, making it the perfect hearty meal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1.5 pounds ground beef
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the pot with the beef. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Cook for 1 minute until the spices are fragrant.
  4. Add the rinsed beans, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth to the pot. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
  5. Bring the chili mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. For deeper flavor, simmer longer, up to 45 minutes.
  6. Taste the chili and adjust seasonings as needed before serving hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • For an even richer flavor, use a combination of chili powders, such as ancho and regular chili powder.
  • Serve this **comfort food chili** with shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, or corn chips.
  • This recipe makes excellent leftovers and freezes well for future **easy weeknight chili** meals.

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