Description
This quick chili recipe with beans delivers rich, hearty flavor in less than an hour, perfect for busy weeknights, enhanced with a smoked paprika and lime crema swirl.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely diced
- 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (for chili base)
- 0.5 tsp dried oregano
- 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
- 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 cup full-fat sour cream (for crema)
- 0.5 tsp smoked paprika (for crema)
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 0.5 tsp salt (for crema)
- 0.25 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Sear the Beef: Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it apart, until fully browned (6-8 minutes). Drain excess fat and set beef aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and red bell pepper to the pot and sauté until softened (5-7 minutes). Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Bloom Spices: Stir in chili powder, ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Simmer the Chili: Return browned beef to the pot. Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes with their liquid, rinsed kidney beans, and vegetable broth; stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and gently simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Crema: While chili simmers, whisk together sour cream, 0.5 tsp smoked paprika, fresh lime juice, and 0.5 tsp salt in a small bowl until smooth.
- Serve and Swirl: Ladle hot chili into bowls. Dollop 1-2 tbsp of the smoked paprika and lime crema on top. Gently swirl the crema into the chili and garnish generously with chopped cilantro.
Notes
If the chili looks too thick during simmering, add more broth or water. You can substitute ground turkey or vegetarian ground for beef. Greek yogurt or creme fraiche can replace sour cream in the crema.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups (400 g)
- Calories: 380 calories
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg