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    Home » Recipes » Lunch and Dinner

    Beef and Bean Chili

    Classic American Beef and Bean Chili is a simple rustic meal with few ingredient and a deep rich smoky chili flavor from a slow stovetop simmer.

    Classic American Beef and Bean Chili dinner meal idea buffet diy self serve dinner station cornbread
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Served buffet style with an assortment of toppings, it’s a perfect meal to please the whole family friendly dinner or as a self service dinner at your next party!

    A total crowd pleaser!

    Classic beef and bean chili is a rarity in my house – an economical AND filling meals that my entire family actually eats!! A huge hurdle in my house with all these picky eaters. Gluten, dairy and sugar free it’s great for restricted eaters of all ages.

    Classic American Beef and Bean Chili dinner meal idea buffet diy self serve dinner station cornbread

    If you’re looking for a super inventive new take on chili you’re not going to find it here. This chili is not going to knock your socks off with interesting ingredients and new methods. It is no nonsense, tried and true recipe based on America’s Test Kitchen chili recipe.

    You won’t have to wonder if this Beef and Bean Chili is going to turn out right or taste good.

    Trust me, it will be perfect. Every time.

    Classic American Beef and Bean Chili dinner meal idea buffet diy self serve dinner station cornbread

    A meal for many occasions

    • Freezer friendly meal! Chili with cornbread and honey butter is also my go to meal to give to a family who just had a baby, is going through a hard time, or just needs some help in the dinner department. Mainly because everyone loves chili but also because it freezes well. If you’ve ever been a ‘meal train’ recipient you know that having the option to freeze your food gifts is so useful.
    • For large parties and events, chili bars are always a hit! Set out an array of toppings like cornbread, cheddar cheese, queso fresco, jalapenos, diced onions and scallions, cilantro, and avocado for people to top as they please. Add baked potatoes and/or hot dogs for a simple cook-ahead party meal with variety!
    • Perfect for outdoor campfire cooking! Simply make in a dutch oven and slow simmer over coals.

    Ingredients

    • cooking oil (vegetable, canola or olive oil)
    • large onions
    • bell pepper
    • garlic cloves
    • chili powder
    • cumin powder
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • lean ground beef
    • red kidney beans
    • diced tomatoes
    • tomato sauce
    beef and bean chili ingredients

    Step by step instructions

    1. Prepare ingredients – chop onion, bell pepper and garlic.
    chopped onions, bell peppers and garlic
    1. Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add oil and heat until shimmering.
    2. To the hot oil add the onions and bell pepper and cook until they begin to soften (about 2 minutes).
    3. Add the chili powder, cumin and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to coat and cook until the vegetables are softened about 5 minutes.
    sauteed spices with onions, peppers and garlic
    1. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds.
    2. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, ½ teaspoon of salt and beans. Do not drain the beans add all the liquid into the pot.
    3. Increase heat to medium high and bring to a simmer.
    4. Add the ground beef and stir to mix.
    5. Return to simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes.
    6. Remove the lid and continue to simmer an additional 45 minutes, uncovered.
    7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    8. Serve immediately with your choice of toppings.
    Classic American Beef and Bean Chili dinner meal idea buffet diy self serve dinner station cornbread

    What to serve with chili?

    Serve buffet style, like DIY Chicken Tortilla Soup, with all the toppings on the side this is a great meal to serve a crowd! For large parties and events, chili bars are always a hit. Add baked potatoes and/or hot dogs for a simple cook-ahead party meal with variety!

    Homemade Cornbread with Honey Butter, diced green onion, jalapenos, red onion, cilantro, avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled Mexican cheese like queso fresco, and sour cream are great options for serving with chili.

    Make ahead

    Cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Or freeze flat in 1 gallon freezer bags for up to a month. Reheat on the stove top over low heat before serving.

    Classic American Beef and Bean Chili dinner meal idea buffet diy self serve dinner station cornbread

    Beef and Bean Chili with Cornbread and Honey Butter

    A classic Beef and Bean Chili that is perfect for a family dinner, when feeding a crowd or as a meal prep freezer meal!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    bean, beef, chili, cornbread, for a crowd, honey butter, make ahead, meal prep, potluck, soup, stew
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 275kcal
    Author: Tristin Rieken

    Ingredients

    chili

    • 2 tablespoons cooking oil (vegetable, canola or olive oil)
    • 2 large onions , chopped
    • 1 medium bell pepper , stemmed, seeded and chopped
    • 6 cloves garlic , minced
    • ¼ cup chili powder
    • 1 tblsp cumin
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • 2 pounds lean ground beef
    • 2 cans red kidney beans 15.5 ounce
    • 2 cans diced tomatoes 15.5 ounce
    • 1 can tomato sauce 28 ounce

    Instructions

    chili

    • Heat a large dutch oven over medium heat and add the oil until shimmering.
    • Add the onions and bell pepper and cook until they begin to soften (about 2 minutes).
    • Add the chili powder, cumin and ½ teaspoon salt. Stir to coat and cook until the vegetables are softened (about 5 minutes).
    • Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant (about 15 seconds).
    • Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, ½ teaspoon of salt and beans (undrained).
    • Increase heat to medium high and bring to a simmer.
    • Add the ground beef and stir to mix.
    • Return to simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes.
    • Remove the lid and continue to simmer an additional 45 minutes uncovered.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    • Serve immediately with your choice of toppings (diced green onion, red onion, cilantro, avocado, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled queso fresco,  and sour cream are great options). Or cool and refrigerate for up to 4 days or freeze in freezer bags laid flat up to 1 month. Reheat on the stove top over low heat.

    Notes

    based on a recipe from America’s Test Kitchen

    Nutrition

    Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 657mg | Potassium: 1140mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 3171IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 7mg
    Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
    love, Tristin signature

    Pin for later!

    Classic American Beef and Bean Chili with Cornbread and Honey Butter gets it's deep rich smoky chili flavor from a slow stovetop simmer. Served buffet style with an assortment of toppings, it's a perfect meal to please the whole family friendly dinner or as a self service dinner at your next party!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sara Katanik

      November 02, 2016 at 1:37 pm

      How do I pin this?! ?

      Reply
      • Tristin Rieken

        November 02, 2016 at 10:38 pm

        Hi Sara! There's a pinterest button in the teal box above or if you hover over any image a pinterest button will appear. If those don't work, you can copy the url and paste into pinterest.

        Reply

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    Hello! I'm Tris. Welcome to Fresh Flavorful, I hope to inspire you with simple recipes and ideas to eat deliciously, entertain easily and adventure often. More →

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    Inspired by the beauty of gathering round a table Tristin Rieken shares ideas for living a Fresh, Flavorful Life!

    Inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest recipe developer and food photographer, Tristin Rieken, shares easy recipes and simple ideas for eating, entertaining and adventuring your way to a Fresh Flavorful Life.

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