Description

This recipe is a perfected copycat of a hearty, family-friendly steakhouse chili, offering a rich, Brick-Red Beef Pot with Jalapeño Confetti, ideal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

1.5 lbs lean ground beef (90/10 or 85/15)
2 (14.5-ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 large yellow onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 fresh jalapeño, minced (seeds removed for less heat)
1 teaspoon your favorite hot sauce
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Salt & pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Brown the Beef: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, cook the 1.5 lbs lean ground beef over medium-high heat until it’s no longer pink and crumbles nicely. Drain off any excess fat from the pot.
Sauté Aromatics: Reduce heat to medium. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the same pot. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent (3-4 minutes).
Spice it Up: Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, and unsweetened cocoa powder. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are wonderfully fragrant.
Simmer to Perfection: Pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained), drained and rinsed kidney beans, beef broth, minced jalapeño, and hot sauce. Stir everything together until well combined. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and let it bubble gently for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the chili to thicken slightly.

Notes

Make a big batch on Sunday to enjoy throughout the week. For a leaner option, swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken. For keto or low-carb chili, omit the beans. Adjust jalapeño quantity for desired spice level; omit for a milder chili. Ensure beef broth is certified gluten-free for a gluten-free dish. This is a one-pot recipe for minimal cleanup. You can use pre-chopped onions and garlic.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop Simmering
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups (approx 380g)
Calories: 400 calories
Sugar: 7 g
Sodium: 650 mg
Fat: 18 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 35 g
Fiber: 10 g
Protein: 30 g
Cholesterol: 75 mg