Ground Beef Chili

Name: Ground Beef Chili with Chipotle & Beans
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h 20 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 tbsp vegetable oil; 1 ½ lbs ground beef; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tsp ground cumin; 2 tsp chile powder; 1 tsp paprika; 1 canned chipotle chile in adobo, minced, plus 1 tbsp adobo sauce; 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes; 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans; 1 tsp lime juice; ½ tsp salt; ½ tsp ground pepper; 1 cup water

A hearty ground beef chili that starts on the stovetop with toasted spices and browned meat, then slow-cooks into a rich, smoky dish with chipotle heat and tender beans. The stovetop sear removes fat and concentrates flavor before the long cook.

🌍Mexican 🏷️Beef 🏷️Chili 🏷️Slow cook 🏷️Ground beef 🏷️American

Total

3h 20m

Servings

6

Difficulty

Hard

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From Recette Magazine

Ingredients

1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp chile powder
1 tsp paprika
1 canned chipotle chile in adobo, minced, plus 1 tbsp adobo sauce
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can pinto beans
1 tsp lime juice
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground pepper
1 cup water

14 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and ½ tsp salt and cook for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Add the beef, breaking the meat up into smaller pieces with a spoon. Continue to cook until meat is browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
2
Skim off and discard excess fat from pan. Add garlic, cumin, chile powder, paprika, chipotle chile, adobo sauce and ½ tsp ground pepper to the beef, stirring to incorporate. Continue to cook until spices are fragrant, about 1 minute.
3
Divide beans with liquid and tomatoes with liquid and 1 cup water between two Suvie pans. Remove skillet from heat and divide beef mixture between both Suvie pans. Insert pans into your Suvie, input settings, and cook now or schedule.
4
Set Suvie to Slow Cook High for 3 hours.
5
After the cook, stir chili and season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide between bowls, garnish with desired toppings, and serve.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Toast the cumin, chile powder, and paprika in the hot oil before adding the beef to unlock deeper, more complex spice flavor.
Brown the ground beef in batches if needed to avoid crowding the pan; this ensures better browning and helps render excess fat before slow cooking.
Add the chipotle and adobo sauce for smoky heat; adjust the amount based on your heat preference.
Taste and season at the end; chili often needs a pinch of salt and cumin adjustment after slow cooking.

Substitutions

Ground beef → ground turkey or ground lamb (note: turkey yields leaner chili; lamb adds deeper flavor)
Pinto beans → kidney beans or black beans (note: no change to cooking time)
Canned diced tomatoes → tomato sauce plus ½ cup water (note: reduces liquid slightly, sauce thickens faster)
Chipotle in adobo → fresh jalapeño plus ½ tsp smoked paprika (note: less smoky depth but still flavorful)

Storage & make-ahead

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat or in a slow cooker on low.

Common Questions

Can I make this chili ahead of time?

Yes. Chili tastes better the next day as flavors meld. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in a slow cooker.

What can I use instead of chipotle in adobo?

Substitute 1 jalapeño (minced) plus ½ tsp smoked paprika, or use 1 tsp hot sauce mixed with ½ tsp cumin for similar heat and depth.

Can I use a different type of bean?

Yes. Black beans, kidney beans, or a mix work well. Use the same quantity and drain canned beans before adding.

How do I know when the chili is done?

The beef should be fully cooked and tender, beans soft, and the sauce reduced to your preferred thickness. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, cumin, or chile powder.