One-Pot Beef Chili

Ingredients

1. 1

   Step 1

   Brown the beef

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 tablespoon olive oil
     • 1 pound ground beef
   • Action: Heat oil over medium heat, add beef, and cook until browned, breaking up with a spoon.
2. 2

   Step 2

   Sauté aromatics

   • Ingredients:
     • 1 onion, diced
     • 3 cloves garlic, minced
   • Action: Stir onion into the beef, cook 3–4 minutes until soft, then add garlic for 30 seconds.
3. 3

   Step 3

   Bloom spices

   • Ingredients:
     • 2 tablespoons chili powder
     • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
     • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
     • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
   • Action: Stir spices into the beef for 1 minute to toast and release flavor.
4. 4

   Step 4

   Add beans and tomatoes

   • Ingredients:
     • Black beans
     • Kidney beans
     • 1 can crushed tomatoes
     • 1 cup broth
   • Action: Add beans, tomatoes, and broth. Stir to combine.
5. 5

   Step 5

   Simmer

   • Ingredients:
     • Pot of chili
   • Action: Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and cook 20–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. 6

   Step 6

   Serve

   • Ingredients:
     • Optional toppings (cheese, sour cream, green onions)
   • Action: Taste, adjust salt, and ladle into bowls with toppings.

Step insights

• Toasting spices in fat extracts flavor compounds that carry through the simmer.

Equipment

• Dutch oven or soup pot

• Wooden spoon

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Can opener