Hearty Chili Bowl Base (Printable)

Hearty beef and bean chili over rice with customizable toppings

# What You'll Need:

→ Chili Base

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 pound ground beef
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 cup corn kernels
12 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
19 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth

→ Serving

20 - 2 cups cooked rice or grains

→ Toppings

21 - Shredded cheddar cheese
22 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
23 - Sliced green onions
24 - Chopped cilantro
25 - Diced avocado
26 - Jalapeño slices
27 - Lime wedges

# Method:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and diced red and green bell peppers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until peppers begin to soften.
03 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until completely browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to caramelize and develop depth of flavor.
05 - Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn kernels, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine.
06 - Pour in broth and bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally until flavors meld and consistency reaches desired thickness.
07 - While chili simmers, prepare rice or grains according to package instructions.
08 - Spoon prepared grains into serving bowls and ladle chili over the top. Add desired toppings and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means less cleanup and more time to relax while it simmers.
  • It tastes even better the next day, so you can make it ahead and enjoy it twice without any extra effort.
  • You can customize every bowl with different toppings, so everyone gets exactly what they want.
  • The base is flexible enough to go vegetarian, spicy, or mild depending on your mood or who's at the table.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooking the tomato paste separately, it transforms from sharp and metallic to deep and sweet in just one minute.
  • If your chili looks too thick after simmering, add a splash more broth or water and stir it in until it reaches the consistency you like.
  • Taste before serving and adjust the salt, because canned beans and broth can vary in saltiness.
  • Letting the chili rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to ladle without splashing.
03 -
  • Toast your spices in the pot for 30 seconds before adding liquids to unlock deeper, more complex flavors.
  • If you like smoky heat, add a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce along with the tomatoes.
  • For a thicker chili, mash a few spoonfuls of beans against the side of the pot and stir them back in.
  • Always taste and adjust seasoning at the end, a little extra cumin or a squeeze of lime can elevate everything.
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