Spicy Beef Chili Cheddar (Printable)
A rich blend of ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and sharp cheddar with a spicy touch for a cozy dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 or lean)
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped
→ Beans
06 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
→ Tomatoes & Liquids
08 - 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
10 - 1 cup beef broth or stock
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
→ Toppings
18 - 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
19 - Chopped fresh cilantro
20 - Sliced green onions
# Steps:
01 - Heat a drizzle of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until spices become fragrant, stirring constantly.
04 - Pour in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, kidney beans, and black beans. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened and flavors have melded together.
06 - Taste the chili and adjust salt, pepper, or cayenne as needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
07 - Ladle hot chili into bowls. Top each serving with shredded cheddar cheese, fresh cilantro, and sliced green onions as desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This chili gets better overnight so make extra for tomorrow
- The spice blend creates layers of flavor without being overwhelming
02 -
- The chili thickens as it cools so do not worry if it looks thin
- Cheddar added at the end creates those perfect melty pockets
03 -
- Let the spices bloom in the hot pan before adding liquids
- Grate your own cheese for better melting