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Best Award Winning Hearty Chili Recipe Easy Homemade Chili for Cozy Nights

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A hearty, flavorful chili recipe perfect for cozy nights, featuring a balanced mix of beans, ground beef, and spices with a subtle richness from dark cocoa powder.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80% lean)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chopped bell peppers (red or green)
  • 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup beef broth (240 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon optional dark cocoa powder

Instructions

  1. Finely chop the onion, mince the garlic, and dice the bell peppers. Drain and rinse the kidney and black beans.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Add the garlic and bell peppers; cook for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and peppers start to soften.
  4. Push the veggies to the side and add the ground beef. Break it up and cook until fully browned, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
  6. Mix in the tomato paste, then add the diced tomatoes with their juices. Stir to combine.
  7. Add beef broth and brown sugar. Optionally, add dark cocoa powder. Stir everything together.
  8. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Partially cover and simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  9. Add the rinsed kidney and black beans during the last 10 minutes of cooking to warm through.
  10. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or cayenne as needed before serving.

Notes

Do not rush browning the meat to develop flavor. Toast spices to release aroma. Rinse canned beans to remove excess sodium and metallic taste. Add beans near the end to keep their texture. Chili tastes better the next day. Add broth or water if chili becomes too thick.

Nutrition

Keywords: hearty chili, award winning chili, homemade chili, easy chili recipe, cozy dinner, ground beef chili, bean chili, chili with cocoa powder

Find it online: https://zorbmeal.com/best-award-winning-hearty-chili-recipe-easy-homemade-chili-for-cozy-nights/