Chili beans are a well-loved food that can warm your soul with their hearty, savory goodness.
Making chili beans is a fun thing to do, no matter how much or how little you know about cooking.
In this article, we’ll talk about the most important ingredients and tips for making a tasty pot of chili beans.
What Do You Need To Make Chili Beans?
To make a tasty pot of chili beans, you’ll need these important things:
- Dry red beans: We used small red beans, but you can also use Mayocoba beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, or black beans.
- Ground beef: Try to choose ground beef that is between 80% and 90% lean meat. You can use ground beef with more fat, but you’ll need to drain the fat after it’s cooked.
- Salt
- Fresh onion and garlic: We used a yellow onion, but you can use any kind.
- Fresh jalapeno peppers: If you take out the pepper’s seeds and white pith, it won’t be as hot.
- Fresh coriander: If you don’t like cilantro, you can switch it out for parsley.
- Canned tomatoes
- Tomato sauce. The tomato paste makes the dish taste so much more rich and fuller. You won’t need to use the whole can because a little goes a long way, but you can freeze what you don’t use. You can also buy tubes that are easy to use.
- Canned chipotle pepper: Don’t use everything in the can! You only need one pepper or two if you like your chili very spicy. The peppers you don’t use can be frozen.
- Beef Broth
- Herbs And Spices. Chili powder, oregano, cumin, and paprika.
- Pepper And Salt
How To Make Chili Beans?
Ingredients
- 1 pound of dry red beans or 4 cans (14.5 ounces each) choice beans
- 2 pounds lean (15%) Chuck ground beef
- 1 tbsp. sea salt
- 1 big, chopped yellow onion
- 4 cloves of garlic, chopped or crushed
- 2 jalapeno peppers, green seeds, and chopped
- 1/2 cup of fresh, chopped parsley
- 3 cans of crushed tomatoes, each weighing 14.5 ounces
- 1 (6-ounce) can of tomato paste
- 1 mashed chipotle pepper (not the whole can),
- 2 cups of beef broth
- 1 to 3 tablespoons of chili sauce (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon of dry oregano
- 2 teaspoons of cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper powder
- 1 teaspoon Smoky paprika
- Fresh leaves of cilantro to decorate
Instructions
Cook the red beans according to the advice on the package, then drain them and put them away. If you are using dried beans, rinse them under cold water, drain them, and set them aside.
Put the ground beef in a big soup pot or dutch oven on medium-high heat. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat. Salt the ground beef and cook it until it turns brown. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and chopped jalapeño peppers, and keep cooking until the onion is clear.
Add the chopped cilantro, crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chipotle pepper, broth, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix well, then add the beans that you set aside.
Bring to a boil, then turn the heat down to the lowest setting, cover the pot, and let it cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. Taste it to see if it needs more spice, and make changes as needed.
Pour the soup into bowls and top them with fresh cilantro leaves.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
- 394 Calories
- 9g Fat
- 49g Carbs
- 31g Protein
Tip For Success
Don’t throw away the extra chipotles: When you open a can of chipotle chili peppers, you won’t need to use them all. The extra chipotle peppers and adobo sauce can be used in another recipe.
We like to use a mini-food processor or a fork to puree the rest of the beans. Then we put spoonfuls of the puree on parchment paper and put it in the freezer. Then put them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer after they are frozen.
Cook the dry beans in their own pots: Dry beans don’t cook well when sour foods like tomatoes are added to the pot. The dry beans will have a better taste if you cook them separately. After the tomatoes are cooked, add the beans.
Variations
Spice Level: This chili is spicy enough for us, but you can make it less spicy or more spicy to your taste. Leave the seeds in your jalapenos or add a few drops of hot sauce or chili flakes for more heat.
Ground Beef: This dish can be made with either chicken or turkey ground meat. If your meat is very fatty, drain it before you boil it.
Beer: How a little bit of beer adds depth to a dish. You can skip the beer and use more soup instead.
Change The Spices: You can add whatever spices you want to your chili. Throw in a packet of taco sauce to make chili.
Can Chili Be Frozen?
100% yes!!! Chili is a great food to make ahead and freeze. We freeze it in single-serving sizes for lunches or in freezer bags for a quick and easy dinner.
Put it in the fridge overnight to defrost, then heat it up in a pot or the microwave.
Suggestions For Serving
- A bowl of spicy beans served with crackers is the same as a bowl of soup, tortilla chips, or cornbread. As you would with a bowl of chili, top the beans with grated cheese, chopped onions, sour cream, or yogurt.
- As a topping for rice, this is not only tasty but the rice and beans together are a complete protein that is full of nutrients.
- With Mexican food, like tacos, enchiladas, tamales, etc., as a side dish.
- Use it as a side dish with grilled or smoked foods; it goes well with pulled pork.
- As a filling for nachos, taco salad, or a bowl made of a tortilla.
- Add cheese and onions, too, to make a topping for hot dogs.
Putting together a pot of chili beans is fun and brings warmth and taste to the table. With the right products and a little know-how, you can make a dish that is sure to please your taste buds. So, put on your apron and get ready to eat a bowl of chili beans you made yourself.
Thanks for reading. I hope you find it helpful.
