Name: Hearty Mexican Beef Chili
Ingredients: 1½ lbs ground beef – The heart of the dish, providing richness and heartiness; 1 medium yellow onion, diced – Adds sweetness and depth; 4 cloves garlic, minced – Essential for building aromatic flavor; 1 green bell pepper, diced – Adds a mild, slightly sweet vegetable base; 1 jalapeño, finely chopped – Brings gentle, adjustable heat; 2 cans diced tomatoes (14.5 oz each) – Forms the chili’s tomato foundation; 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz) – Adds smoothness and thickness; 2 cans kidney beans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed – Provides heartiness and texture; 1½ cups beef broth – Adds savory depth and helps achieve the right consistency; 2 tbsp tomato paste – Concentrates the tomato flavor and thickens the chili; 2 tbsp chili powder; 2 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp Mexican oregano; ½ tsp cayenne pepper; 1 tsp kosher salt; ½ tsp black pepper; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce – Adds umami depth; 1 tbsp fresh lime juice – Brightens the entire dish; ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped – Adds a fresh, herbaceous finish

Ingredients

Scale

This chili relies on a thoughtful combination of pantry staples, fresh produce, and warm spices to build its signature bold flavor.

The Base

1½ lbs ground beef – The heart of the dish, providing richness and heartiness
1 medium yellow onion, diced – Adds sweetness and depth
4 cloves garlic, minced – Essential for building aromatic flavor
1 green bell pepper, diced – Adds a mild, slightly sweet vegetable base
1 jalapeño, finely chopped – Brings gentle, adjustable heat

The Tomato and Bean Base

2 cans diced tomatoes (14.5 oz each) – Forms the chili’s tomato foundation
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz) – Adds smoothness and thickness
2 cans kidney beans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed – Provides heartiness and texture
1½ cups beef broth – Adds savory depth and helps achieve the right consistency
2 tbsp tomato paste – Concentrates the tomato flavor and thickens the chili

The Spice Blend

2 tbsp chili powder
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp Mexican oregano
½ tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
½ tsp black pepper

The Finishing Touches

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce – Adds umami depth
1 tbsp fresh lime juice – Brightens the entire dish
¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped – Adds a fresh, herbaceous finish

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Instructions

Making this Hearty Mexican Beef Chili is a straightforward process, but a few key techniques make a significant difference in the final result.

Step 1: Brown the beef. Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon as it cooks, until it’s fully browned. If there’s excess grease in the pot, drain it off to keep the chili from becoming overly oily.

Step 2: Soften the aromatics. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, jalapeño, and minced garlic directly to the pot with the beef. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and the onion turns translucent.

Step 3: Bloom the spices. Stir in the tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook this mixture for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. This step, known as blooming, helps release the essential oils in the spices, deepening their flavor and aroma before the liquid ingredients are added.

Step 4: Add the liquids and beans. Pour in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir everything together thoroughly to combine.

Step 5: Bring to a boil, then simmer. Bring the chili to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot partially, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and let the chili simmer for 35 to 45 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and to help the flavors meld together as the chili thickens.

Step 6: Finish with lime and cilantro. During the final few minutes of cooking, stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro. This step adds a burst of brightness that balances the richness of the beef and the warmth of the spices.

Step 7: Taste and adjust. Before serving, taste the chili and adjust the seasoning as needed. You may want to add a touch more salt, a dash of extra cayenne for heat, or an additional squeeze of lime for acidity.

Step 8: Serve and top. Serve the chili hot, topped with your choice of shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or crunchy tortilla chips.