Description
A hearty and flavorful homemade chili made with ground beef, green peppers, onions, beans, and a blend of bold spices. This chili is perfect for a comforting meal, simmered to develop deep flavors and served hot.
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)
Tomato Base
- 2 cans diced tomatoes (15-ounce cans)
- 1 can tomato sauce (15-ounce)
- 1 can tomato paste (6-ounce)
- 15 ounces water
Beans
- 2 cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (15-ounce cans)
Spices
- 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
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large Dutch oven, sauté the diced green peppers and onions over medium heat until they are softened, translucent, and just starting to caramelize, which enhances their sweetness and flavor.
- Add Spices: Whisk together all the seasonings excluding the baking soda. Add the spice mixture to the Dutch oven and cook, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the spices to bloom and release their aromas without burning.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground beef (or turkey) to the pot, breaking it up as it cooks. Continue cooking until it is mostly browned, though a little pink is okay at this stage.
- Add Tomato Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and water. Pour this mixture into the Dutch oven with the meat and vegetables.
- Simmer and Add Beans: Bring the chili to a gentle simmer over medium-low heat and cook for about 15 minutes. Then add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and stir to combine well.
- Stir in Baking Soda: Stir in the baking soda carefully. The sauce will bubble up as the acidity is neutralized, so stir over medium heat until the bubbling subsides.
- Serve: Remove the chili from heat and serve hot, perfect for topping with cheese, sour cream, or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be used as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Adjust the cayenne and chipotle powders to your desired spice level.
- Letting the chili simmer longer can deepen the flavor if preferred.
- Baking soda is used to reduce the acidity of the tomatoes and create a smoother sauce.
- Consider topping with shredded cheese, chopped onions, or cilantro for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: homemade chili, ground beef chili, kidney bean chili, easy chili recipe, stovetop chili, hearty chili, spicy chili
