Three Bean and Beef Chili
This easy, hearty chili recipe features extra-lean ground beef, three types of beans (black, kidney, pinto), and a robust blend of aromatic vegetables, cumin, and chipotle in adobo sauce. Simmered in crushed tomatoes, it yields a flavorful and comforting one-pot meal, perfect for serving a crowd or meal prepping.
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot or Dutch Oven Essential for simmering chili
- 1 Chef's knife For dicing vegetables
- 1 Cutting Board For safe vegetable preparation
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula For stirring and breaking up meat
- 1 Measuring Spoons and Cups For accurate ingredient measurement
Ingredients
Main
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion diced (1 cup)
- 1 red bell pepper diced (1 cup)
- 2 carrots diced (1/2 cup)
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 pound extra-lean ground beef 90 percent lean
- One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups water
- 1 chipotle chile in adobo sauce seeded and minced
- 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from the can of chipotles
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- One 15.5-ounce can black beans drained and rinsed
- One 15.5-ounce can kidney beans drained and rinsed
- One 15.5-ounce can pinto beans drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Heat the oil in large pot or Dutch oven over moderate heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and carrots, cover and cook, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the cumin and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the ground beef; raise the heat to high and cook, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until the meat is no longer pink. Stir in the tomatoes, water, chipotle and adobo sauce, oregano and salt and pepper. Simmer, partially covered, stirring from time to time, for 30 minutes. Stir in the beans and cook, partially covered, 20 minutes longer. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
Notes
To achieve a rich depth of flavor, ensure a good sear on the ground beef before adding liquids, breaking it up sufficiently for even browning. For enhanced aromatics, sauté the cumin with the vegetables briefly before introducing the beef. When working with chipotle in adobo, remember its potency; taste and adjust the amount of adobo sauce to your preferred spice level. A finely minced chipotle distributes heat more evenly. Don't skip the simmering time; it allows flavors to meld beautifully. This chili benefits from resting before serving, allowing the flavors to deepen further. Serve with fresh cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, or shredded cheese for added richness and texture.