Short Description

A hearty, richly flavored beef chili made with tender stewing meat, aromatic spices, beans, and tomatoes—perfectly customizable and easy to assemble in one pot.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Rich and comforting: Slow-simmered for hours, it develops deep, complex flavors.
One-pot convenience: Minimal cleanup with everything cooked together.
Versatile toppings: Customize with avocado, cheese, jalapeño, sour cream, cilantro, and more.
Kid-friendly to bold: Adjust the heat level to suit your taste.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

500 g (1 lb) diced beef (stewing beef or brisket), patted dry and seasoned with salt
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 red onion, diced (reserve 2 Tbsp for serving)
6 garlic cloves, minced (adjust to taste)
2 Tbsp tomato purée
½ Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp paprika
2 tsp cumin
½ tsp cinnamon
395 g (14 oz) tin taco mixed beans in tomato sauce
400 g (14 oz) tin chunky chopped tomatoes
175 ml (¾ cup) apple juice
300 ml (1¼ cups) beef broth (from a stock cube)
1 bay leaf

Optional Toppings

Shredded cheddar cheese
1 avocado, sliced
1 green jalapeño, sliced
A bunch of cilantro, chopped
Tortilla chips
Lime wedges
Sour cream or Greek yogurt
White rice for serving

Directions

Brown the beef
- In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, heat vegetable oil until shimmering (~3 minutes).
- Add seasoned beef and cook until browned on all sides (~5 minutes).
Sauté onions and garlic
- Add diced onion (minus the reserved 2 Tbsp) and minced garlic.
- Cook until onions soften and garlic is fragrant (~2 minutes).
Spice it up
- In a small bowl, mix chili powder, paprika, cumin, cinnamon.
- Stir into the pot with tomato purée and bay leaf. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to coat beef in the spice mixture.
Add liquids and beans
- Pour in taco beans (with sauce), chopped tomatoes, apple juice, and beef broth.
Simmer low and slow
- Bring chili to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer.
- Cover with a tight-fitting lid and cook for 3–4 hours, until beef is fork-tender.
Serve
- Spoon chili into bowls. Garnish with reserved raw onion and your chosen toppings. Serve with rice or tortilla chips as desired.

Servings And Timing

Serves: 4–6 people
Prep Time: ~15 minutes
Cook Time: 3–4 hours
Total Time: ~3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes

Storage/Reheating

Fridge: Store cooled chili in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheat: Warm in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of broth if needed to adjust thickness.

Variations

Lower heat: Reduce chili powder and omit jalapeños; add extra cumin and paprika.
Smoky twist: Use smoked paprika or stir in chipotle in adobo for depth.
Extra veggies: Add diced bell peppers or corn when adding tomatoes.
Beans only: Use black beans, kidney beans, or chickpeas to switch up the texture.
Meat swap: Use ground beef, turkey, or diced chicken breast—adjust simmering time accordingly.

FAQs

1. Can I speed up cooking time?

Yes—use a pressure cooker/instant pot and cook for 35–40 minutes under high pressure, then release naturally.

2. Can I use ground beef instead of diced beef?

Absolutely. Brown 1 lb ground beef, drain excess fat, then proceed—reduce simmer time to 1–1½ hours.

3. What does apple juice do in chili?

It adds a hint of sweetness and natural acidity to balance spicy and tomato flavors.

4. Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes—omit cheese and sour cream or choose plant-based alternatives.

5. How do I adjust thickness?

For a thicker chili, simmer uncovered for last 30 minutes. For thinner, add extra broth when reheating.

6. Can I prep ahead?

Yes—cook chili a day ahead for better flavor, then reheat before serving.

7. What side dishes pair well?

Good with cornbread, tortilla chips, rice, green salad, or a crusty bread roll.

8. How do I control the heat?

Adjust chili powder or omit jalapeño. Add additional heat with hot sauce or fresh chilies.

9. My chili tastes flat—what can help?

Stir in a splash of lime juice or a dash of apple cider vinegar before serving to brighten flavors.

10. What makes chili beans different?

Taco mixed beans in tomato sauce offer convenience and seasoning—substitute with plain beans if preferred, adding extra tomato purée.

Conclusion

This Easy Beef Chili is the ultimate comfort food—rich, flavorful, and ready to warm you from the inside out. With simple ingredients, one-pot cooking, and endless topping options, it’s perfect for cozy nights, meal prepping, or feeding a crowd. Dive into a bowl and customize it just how you like!

Ezabella