Easy Beef Chili (30 Minutes)

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This Easy Beef Chili Recipe made with ingredients found in your pantry and ready in just 30 minutes. This simple chili is packed with flavor, good for you, and you won't believe it hasn't been simmering on the stove all day.

355 CAL 36g CARBS 9g FAT 35g PROTEIN 4
2 Comments

This healthy Easy Beef Chili that only takes thirty minutes to make and has tons of smoky and spicy flavor. This easy homemade chili is filling, hearty, and can be made in advance. 

Chili is one of those dishes that I love making. There is just something soothing about standing over a pot of hearty, warm chili. However sometimes there just isn't time for two or more hours of chili making and on those days, I make this quick and easy chili recipe. It's packed with flavor without all the fuss of more complex chili recipes. Like many chilis, this tastes even better the next day so make it ahead of time if you can.

Consider this easy homemade chili recipe as a base recipe to build from to create your family's perfect chili. You can switch up the protein, using turkey, bison, or pork. You can swap in a different kind of bean, using whatever you have on hand. You can kick up the spice level using a canned chipotle pepper, extra chili powder, or a pinch of cayenne. You can even add some veggies. Consider carrots, bell peppers, cauliflower, or zucchini.

Looking for something with chicken? Try these Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili.

Easy Beef chili recipe in a bowl with a checkered napkin and crackers..

Is this chili con carne? How do you make as easy chili con carne?

It is! Chili con carne simply refers to a chili soup with beef. There are tons of different variations and this recipe is one way to make a quick and easy chili con carne. Typically it will always have ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and either chili powder or fresh chili peppers. Aftet that, everyone makes their own versions. Some people make it super spicy, others add brown sugar for some sweetness, and some people like to make it extremely thick with virtually no broth. Start with this recipe and then try out variations to find the version you like best.

How do you thicken up chili?

The best way to thicken up chili is to limit the amount of broth you use when making your chili. Usually I recommend adding the broth slowly until you reach the consistency you like. Some people like it thick and some like it more like a soup. If you have already added the liquid and want to thicken it, you have two options. You can use cornstarch mixed with cold water or flour mixed with cold water. Just make sure to mix them before adding them to the soup so that they don't clump.

Typically, what ingredients go into chili?

Homemade Chili or chili con carne almost always has ground beef (or another protein), kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Then to add spice it usually has chili powder and/or cayenne pepper. To finish out the spice profile, people usually use cumin for smoke and paprika.

What do serve with chili?

There are so many options for chili. You can top it with sliced green onions, cheddar cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, black olives, diced red onion, cilantro, or tortilla chips. When it comes to a side dish, cornbread is a classic option. For a healthier spin, serve it over some spaghetti squash or cauliflower rice. You can even make a healthy chili cheese fries or chili dogs with this easy beef chili.

Beef chili in a white bowl with a glass blurred in the background.

Ways to Customize this Easy Beef Chili Recipe

  • Vegetarian: Double up the beans instead of using the ground beef. You can also use vegetarian crumbles in place of the beef.
  • Low Carb: Leave out the beans and add in some extra beef. You could also use canned black soy beans.
  • No beans: If you don't like beans at all, you have a few options. You can use twice as much meat or add in quinoa, lentils, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash.
  • Different Protein: You can use ground turkey (like this Healthy Turkey Chili) or chicken in this recipe instead of the beef.
  • More Veggies: Kick up the nutrition by adding more veggies. Cauliflower, sweet potato, butternut squash, zucchini, bell peppers, or carrots all work well.
The Recipe
Easy beef chili in a bowl with shredded cheese, green onions, and beans,

Easy Beef Chili (30 Minutes)

355 CAL 36g CARBS 9g FAT 35g PROTEIN 4
PREP TIME: 10 Min
COOK TIME: 30 Min
TOTAL TIME: 40 Min
2 Comments
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 1/2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 poblano pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 lb 95% lean ground beef
  • 14 oz canned pinto beans, rinsed and drained
  • 14 oz fire roasted canned diced tomatoes (not drained)
  • 14 oz. canned tomato sauce (no sugar added)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp chili powder or to taste (more to taste, you may end up doubling)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. coriander
  • Salt and pepper

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Instructions

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1

Heat the olive oil in a large pot and add the onion, garlic, and poblano pepper. Once fragrant after 2-3 minutes, add the beef and brown until no longer pink. Season with salt and pepper.

2

Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes. Taste and season if needed.

Diets:
Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Amount Per Serving
Calories 355
Calories from Fat 30
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g
14%
Saturated Fat 3g
14%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
0%
Cholesterol 70mg
24%
Sodium 1173mg
51%
Total Carbohydrate 36g
12%
Dietary Fiber 5g
20%
Sugars 8g
Protein 35g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
† We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
2 Comments
On Easy Beef Chili (30 Minutes)
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June Friedman
October 4, 2020 - 09:10
i-- New to your site and want to say thank you for the choice to change recipes serving sizes--very helpful to a senior cooking for one. Love your writings. Looking forward to more choices.
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Rocio Indacochea
May 27, 2020 - 13:51
Add a Rating:
5
My husband loved this recipe! I topped it with low-fat shredded cheese and nonfat plain Greek yogurt. Will definitely make again.
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