Hearty Homestyle Chili Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Steaming bowls of hearty homestyle chili recipe warm the soul on chilly evenings, inviting comfort and pure satisfaction.

Rich aromas of simmering spices and tender meat fill the kitchen with mouthwatering anticipation.

Generations have cherished this classic dish, passing down secrets that make each spoonful deeply memorable.

Bold flavors meld together, creating a robust and satisfying meal that stands as a true culinary masterpiece.

Robust ground beef, perfectly seasoned beans, and a complex blend of spices dance together in a symphony of deliciousness.

Simple ingredients combine to craft a meal that speaks directly to hunger and heart.

You’ll fall in love with every savory, comforting bite of this ultimate chili experience.

Cooking Instructions for Classic Chili

• Veggie Groundwork

Grab a big dutch oven and transform those peppers and onions into a golden, fragrant base by sautéing them until they’re soft and slightly caramelized.

• Spice Symphony

Sprinkle in your favorite seasonings and let them dance and awaken their deep flavors for a couple of minutes, stirring gently to prevent any burning.

• Meat Magic

Introduce ground meat to the party, browning it just enough to lock in those savory juices while keeping a hint of pink.

• Liquid Love

Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste, creating a rich landscape of flavors. Let everything simmer and mingle on medium-low heat for about 15 minutes.

• Bean Bliss

Welcome kidney beans into the mix, allowing them to absorb all the delicious surrounding flavors.

• Final Flourish

Stir in a pinch of baking soda, watching the chili transform and thicken. Let it bubble gently, then reduce heat and simmer until it reaches perfect comfort food consistency.

• Serving Satisfaction

Remove from heat and ladle into warm bowls, ready to comfort and delight.

Beans, Meat & Spice Adjustment Tips

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for different flavor profiles and dietary preferences.
• Add diced jalapeños, chipotle peppers, or a dash of cayenne pepper to create a spicier chili that packs extra punch.
• Sprinkle shredded cheese, dollop sour cream, scatter fresh cilantro, or crumble crispy tortilla chips for texture and additional layers of taste.
• Transfer ingredients after browning meat and let simmer on low for 6-8 hours to develop deeper, richer flavors and achieve melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

How to Serve Chili with Toppings

• Game Day Touchdown: Pair this hearty chili with crispy corn chips or toasted sourdough bread for a satisfying crunch that complements the rich, meaty flavors.
• Toppings Fiesta: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese, dollop sour cream, and scatter fresh chopped cilantro on top to add vibrant colors and layers of creamy, tangy goodness.
• Comfort Bowl Companion: Serve alongside fluffy white rice or creamy cornbread to soak up the delicious chili sauce and create a complete, warming meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Winter Warmth Meal: Perfect for cold evenings, this chili becomes a comforting one-pot wonder that fills your kitchen with delightful aromas and brings everyone together around the dinner table.

Chili Storage Tips Meals

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a large pot of chili and divide into family-sized portions for quick weeknight meals that save time and energy.
• Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Store cooled chili in airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stays delicious for up to 3 months when properly sealed.
• Refrigerator Refresh Plan: Keep leftover chili in sealed containers and consume within 3-4 days for optimal taste and food safety. Pro tip: flavors often improve after a day or two in the refrigerator.
• Reheat Like a Chef: Warm chili slowly on the stovetop, adding a splash of water or broth to restore moisture and prevent scorching. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and maintain rich, robust flavors.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients That Go Into Homestyle Chili

• Onions: Provide a sweet, caramelized foundation that adds depth to the chili's overall taste.
• Bell Peppers: Contribute a fresh, slightly crunchy texture and vibrant color to the dish.

• Ground Beef: Delivers rich, hearty flavor and substantial protein; choose lean cuts for a healthier option.

• Tomato Sauce: Creates a smooth, rich base that helps bind ingredients together.
• Diced Tomatoes: Add texture and bright, tangy notes to the chili.
• Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the sauce.
• Water: Helps adjust the consistency and prevent the chili from becoming too thick.

• Chili Seasonings: Provide warm, complex flavor profile that defines the chili's character.
• Baking Soda: Helps tenderize the meat and creates a smoother texture.

• Kidney Beans: Add protein, fiber, and a creamy texture to the chili; ensure they're well-drained and rinsed.

Tools for Simmering a Hearty Chili Pot

• Dutch Oven: Large, heavy-bottomed pot perfect for even heat distribution and creating rich, deep flavors.
• Wooden Spoon: Essential for stirring ingredients without scratching the pot's surface.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise tools to ensure accurate seasoning and ingredient proportions.
• Cutting Board: Sturdy surface for chopping peppers and onions safely.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for dicing vegetables with precision and ease.
• Can Opener: Useful for opening tomato sauce and bean cans quickly.

Hearty Homestyle Chili Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty homestyle chili brings comfort to dinner tables with robust flavors from ground beef and rich spices. Warm bowls invite hungry diners to savor this classic American recipe that satisfies deep hunger and warms souls.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs (0.9 kg) ground beef or turkey
• 2 cans (15-oz/443 ml each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 cans (15-oz/443 ml each) diced tomatoes
• 15 oz (443 ml) tomato sauce
• 6 oz (177 ml) tomato paste
• 15 oz (443 ml) water
• 2 small green peppers, about 2 cups (473 ml) diced
• 1 small yellow onion, about 1.5 cups (355 ml) diced
• 3 tbsps chili powder
• 3 tbsps cumin
• 2 tbsps garlic powder
• 2 tbsps onion powder
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp chipotle powder
• 1 tsp white pepper
• 0.5 tbsp salt
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 0.5 tsp baking soda (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Sauté Aromatics: Heat dutch oven over medium-high, creating a sizzling canvas for bell peppers and onions, transforming them into golden, translucent gems while releasing their inherent sweetness.
2. Spice Awakening: Introduce dried seasonings to the pan, toasting briefly to amplify their complex flavor profile, ensuring an even distribution of aromatic intensity.
3. Meat Integration: Incorporate ground meat, fragmenting it into delicate crumbles and searing until achieving a nuanced caramelization with subtle pink undertones.
4. Liquid Foundation: Stream tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste into the mixture, crafting a robust, vibrant base that will serve as the chili’s essence.
5. Flavor Convergence: Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing ingredients to simmer and harmonize, melding their individual characteristics into a cohesive, depth-rich composition.
6. Bean Incorporation: Gently fold kidney beans into the developing mixture, integrating them seamlessly while introducing a velvety texture and earthy undertone.
7. Final Transformation: Sprinkle baking soda, stirring vigorously as the chili effortlessly thickens and develops a luxurious, silky consistency, signaling its readiness for serving.

Notes

• Bloom Spices Smartly: Toasting dried seasonings for 60-90 seconds intensifies their flavor profile and releases deeper, more complex aromatics.
• Meat Browning Technique: Partially brown ground meat with subtle pink undertones to maintain tenderness and prevent overcooking, ensuring juicy texture.
• Baking Soda Magic: Adding baking soda creates a chemical reaction that softens meat proteins, resulting in an incredibly tender and smooth chili consistency.
• Simmering Secret: Maintaining a gentle, low-temperature simmer allows flavors to meld harmoniously and develops a rich, deep taste without burning or scorching ingredients.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg