Grandfather's Beef Chili (Slow-Simmered) | CookOS

Grandfather's Beef Chili

Name: Grandfather's Beef Chili (Slow-Simmered)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 h
Total time: 5 h 15 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tbsp butter; 2 white onions, chopped; 2 lbs ground beef (73/27); 6-8 cloves garlic, minced; 15 oz tomato paste; 15 oz water; 1/2 tsp allspice; 1 tsp seasoned salt; 2-3 tbsp chili powder; 2 tbsp dried parsley; 2 tbsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp paprika; salt, to taste; black pepper, to taste; tomato juice, to thin; shredded cheese, for serving; sour cream, for serving; crackers, for serving

Grandfather's Beef Chili is a slow-simmered family recipe that builds deep, savory flavor through hours of gentle cooking with ground beef, tomato paste, garlic, and warm spices like allspice and chili powder.

🌍American 🏷️Chili 🏷️Beef chili 🏷️Comfort food 🏷️Family recipe Stew

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Total

5h 15m

Servings

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$32–$53

Recipe Source

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Ingredients

3 tbsp butter
2 white onions, chopped
2 lbs ground beef (73/27)
6-8 cloves garlic, minced
15 oz tomato paste
15 oz water
1/2 tsp allspice
1 tsp seasoned salt
2-3 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp dried parsley
2 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp paprika
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
tomato juice, to thinoptional
shredded cheese, for servingoptional
sour cream, for servingoptional
crackers, for servingoptional

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Instructions

1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened.
2
Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it up with a spoon and cook until fully browned.
3
Stir in the minced garlic, tomato paste, and water until well combined.
4
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the pot, reduce heat to low, and let it simmer for 1 hour.
5
After 1 hour, uncover and stir in the allspice, seasoned salt, chili powder, parsley, oregano, and paprika.
6
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7
Cover the pot again and continue to simmer for an additional 3-4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld. If the chili becomes too thick, thin it out with a splash of tomato juice or water.
8
Serve hot with your favorite toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and crackers.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Brown the ground beef thoroughly over medium-high heat before adding other ingredients to build a flavorful fond; this base carries the entire dish.
Use fresh minced garlic (not powder) and add it after the onions soften—this prevents burning and keeps garlic flavor bright and integrated.
Taste and adjust chili powder and seasoned salt in the final 15 minutes; flavors concentrate as liquid reduces, so undersalt early.
Stir occasionally during the long simmer to prevent sticking on the bottom and ensure even spice distribution.

Substitutions

Butter → vegetable oil (use 2 tbsp; chili will be less rich but still flavorful)
Seasoned salt → kosher salt + 1/4 tsp garlic powder (adjust to taste)
Dried parsley → fresh parsley added at the end (fresher taste, less earthy)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months; reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.

Common Questions

How long should beef chili simmer?

This recipe develops best flavor with 2–3 hours of low simmering, though it can simmer longer without harm. Longer cooking allows spices to meld and flavors to deepen.