Description

This Best Homemade Chili recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish featuring ground beef, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, and kidney beans, enhanced with a robust blend of spices. Simmered to perfection in a dutch oven, it delivers a comforting and rich chili experience perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

2 pounds ground beef (or turkey)
2 small green peppers (about 2 cups diced)
1 small yellow onion (about 1 ½ cups diced)

Canned Goods

2 cans diced tomatoes (15-ounce cans)
1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
6-ounce can tomato paste
2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15-ounce cans)
15 ounces water

Spices and Seasonings

3 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons onion powder
3 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon chipotle powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon baking soda (optional)

Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: In a large dutch oven, sauté the diced green peppers and yellow onions over medium heat until they become translucent and start to caramelize, enhancing their sweetness and flavor.
Add Spices: Incorporate all seasonings except the baking soda. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes while stirring continuously to release the spices’ aroma, ensuring they don’t burn.
Brown the Meat: Add ground beef or turkey to the pot and brown until just cooked through, allowing for a slight pinkness as it will finish cooking with other ingredients.
Add Liquids and Tomatoes: Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-low heat. Let it cook gently for about 15 minutes to meld flavors.
Add Beans: Stir in the drained and rinsed kidney beans, mixing them thoroughly into the chili base.
Incorporate Baking Soda: Stir in the baking soda, which will cause the sauce to bubble up. Continue stirring over medium heat until the bubbling subsides, which helps neutralize acidity.
Serve: Remove the chili from heat and serve hot, perfect for enjoying with toppings or sides of your choice.

Notes

Using ground turkey is a great lighter alternative to beef.
Baking soda is optional but helps reduce acidity and brighten flavors.
Adjust cayenne pepper to control spiciness according to taste.
Simmering the chili allows flavors to deepen and combine beautifully.
Serve chili with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped onions for added texture and taste.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade chili, ground beef chili, hearty chili, stovetop chili, kidney bean chili, spicy chili recipe