Hearty Red Bean and Beef Chili
This Hearty Red Bean and Beef Chili is a beloved family recipe that brings warmth and comfort in every bite. The secret lies in cooking the dried kidney beans and lean ground beef together for an hour before introducing a medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs. This layering of flavors allows the ingredients to meld beautifully, yielding a delightful balance of spice and savory depth. Perfectly paired with fluffy boiled rice and a refreshing side salad dressed in creamy yogurt, this dish is not only satisfying but also a great way to feed a crowd. Enjoy it at your next gathering or family dinner, and watch it become a new favorite!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried red kidney beans
8 ounces (sorted and rinsed)
extra lean ground beef
8 ounces (none)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
cold water
4 cups (none)
onions
2 small (peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces)
scallions
6 (trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
garlic cloves
5-6 (peeled, crushed, and chopped)
jalapeño pepper
1 (seeded and chopped)
canned tomatoes in sauce
1 (14 ounce) can (none)
dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons (none)
bay leaves
2 (none)
cilantro stems
1/3 cup (finely chopped)
boiled rice
to serve (boiled)
cilantro leaves
1/3 cup (loose coarsely chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by sorting through the dried kidney beans, removing any damaged beans and rinsing them thoroughly in cold water using a sieve.
2
In a large stockpot, combine the rinsed beans, extra lean ground beef, salt, and cold water. Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil over high heat (approximately 10 minutes). Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it gently simmer for 1 hour.
3
After 1 hour, uncover the pot and add the onions, scallions, garlic, jalapeño, canned tomatoes (including the sauce), dried thyme, ground cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, and chopped cilantro stems. Stir well to combine and then return to a boil over high heat.
4
Once boiling, reduce the heat once again to low, cover, and allow the chili to gently simmer for an additional hour. The chili will remain relatively soupy, enhancing its flavor.
5
To serve, spoon generous portions of the chili over boiled rice and garnish with coarsely chopped cilantro leaves for a fresh finish.
Nutrition Information
33g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Red Bean and Beef Chili?
It is a comforting family recipe featuring dried kidney beans, extra lean ground beef, and a blend of aromatic vegetables and spices.
What are the primary ingredients?
The main ingredients include dried red kidney beans, extra lean ground beef, onions, scallions, garlic, jalapeño, canned tomatoes, and various spices.
How long does this chili take to cook?
The chili requires two separate hour-long simmering periods, totaling approximately two hours of cooking time plus preparation.
Do I need to soak the kidney beans before cooking?
The recipe instructions specify sorting and rinsing the dried beans, then boiling them directly with the beef for an hour rather than pre-soaking.
What kind of meat is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for eight ounces of extra lean ground beef.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This chili provides 20 grams of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in each serving?
There are 33 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What should I serve with the chili?
It is best served over fluffy boiled rice with a side salad dressed in creamy yogurt.
Is this chili spicy?
Yes, it contains one seeded jalapeño pepper and 1.5 tablespoons of chili powder for a balanced heat.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 5 to 6 garlic cloves, which should be peeled, crushed, and chopped.
What kind of tomatoes are used?
Use one 14-ounce can of tomatoes in sauce.
How much water is added to the pot?
The recipe requires 4 cups of cold water for the initial cooking phase.
How are the onions prepared?
Two small onions should be peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces.
What is the purpose of the cilantro stems?
Finely chopped cilantro stems are simmered with the chili to add depth of flavor.
How many bay leaves are used?
The recipe calls for 2 bay leaves to be added during the second hour of simmering.
What is the first step in preparation?
The first step is sorting through the dried kidney beans to remove damaged ones and rinsing them in cold water.
How are the scallions prepared?
Six scallions should be trimmed and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.
Is the chili thick or soupy?
The chili remains relatively soupy, which helps enhance the overall flavor profile.
What herbs are used in the seasoning?
The recipe uses dried thyme leaves, ground cumin, chili powder, and fresh cilantro.
How much salt is recommended?
The recipe uses 1.5 teaspoons of salt.
Can this recipe feed a crowd?
Yes, the description notes it is a great way to feed a crowd and perfect for gatherings.
How should the chili be garnished?
Garnish with 1/3 cup of coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves.
At what temperature should the chili simmer?
After reaching a boil, the heat should be reduced to low for a gentle simmer.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 16 ingredients listed for this Hearty Red Bean and Beef Chili.
Is the pot covered during cooking?
Yes, the pot should be covered during both hour-long simmering stages.
How much cumin is added?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Should the jalapeño be seeded?
Yes, the jalapeño should be seeded and chopped before being added to the pot.
What kind of rice is suggested?
Boiled rice is the recommended accompaniment for serving.
Can I substitute the cilantro?
While cilantro is traditional for this recipe, you can adjust garnishes based on preference, though it may change the flavor profile.