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The Ultimate Award-Winning Beef and Bean Chili: Your New Go-To Recipe

Close-up of a dark bowl filled with steaming, rich, dark red chili, highlighting the best chili recipe texture.
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You found it: the best chili recipe that blends rich, deep flavor with hearty satisfaction. This recipe, perfect for game day or cozy winter dinners, uses a secret spice blend to achieve award-winning taste. It works great on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

Ingredients

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  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds ground beef (80/20 recommended)
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee (secret ingredient!)
  • 1/4 cup chili powder
  • 2 tablespoons ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder (secret ingredient!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to your heat preference)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it is fully browned. Drain off any excess grease.
  2. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper to the pot with the beef. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 5 to 7 minutes.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Add the tomato sauce, crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, and brewed coffee to the pot. Stir everything together well.
  5. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cocoa powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This is your secret spice blend.
  6. Sprinkle the spice blend over the chili mixture and stir thoroughly to incorporate all the flavors.
  7. Bring the chili to a simmer. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot partially, and let it cook for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. For the best flavor depth, simmer for 2 to 3 hours.
  8. Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or cayenne as needed before serving.

Notes

  • For a Pioneer Woman style approach, you can brown the meat and onions on the stovetop, then transfer everything to a slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low.
  • If you prefer a no bean chili option, simply omit the kidney and black beans. The flavor will still be rich.
  • To achieve a thicker chili, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of simmering time, allowing excess liquid to evaporate.
  • Serve this ultimate chili recipe with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://recipesfleet.com/best-chili-recipe-flavor-secret-now/