Description
Pioneer Woman chili simmers with rich, hearty flavors that bring comfort to family dinners. Robust beef, bold spices, and classic ingredients create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) ground beef
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 oz/425 g) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz/227 g) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons (30 mL) chili powder
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
- 0.25 teaspoon (1.25 g) cayenne pepper
- 0.25 cup (30 g) masa harina (corn flour)
- 0.5 cup (120 mL) water (for masa harina)
- shredded cheddar cheese
- chopped onions
- sour cream
- lime wedges
- tortilla chips
Instructions
- Sear Protein: Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, methodically breaking down the meat while developing deep caramelized flavors.
- Aromatics and Seasoning: Drain excess fat, then quickly sauté garlic before introducing tomato sauce and robust spice blend – chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne – thoroughly coating the meat in a vibrant seasoning profile.
- Flavor Development: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and allow a gentle flavor infusion for approximately one hour, periodically checking liquid levels and adding water if the mixture becomes too dense.
- Thickening Process: Create a smooth masa harina slurry by whisking with water until silky, then gradually incorporate into the chili to develop a luxurious, hearty consistency.
- Bean Integration: Fold in kidney and pinto beans, allowing them to meld with the spiced meat mixture during a final 10-15 minute simmer, enhancing overall depth and texture.
- Serving Presentation: Ladle the chili into serving bowls, garnishing with a sprinkle of shredded cheese, diced fresh onions, and a bright squeeze of lime to elevate the dish’s complex flavor profile.
Notes
- Sear Meat Strategically: Brown ground beef thoroughly on medium heat, breaking it into small pieces for better texture and caramelization, ensuring deep flavor development.
- Spice Balance Matters: Adjust cayenne and chili powder to personal heat tolerance, tasting and incrementally adding spices to prevent overwhelming the dish.
- Masa Magic: Whisk masa harina carefully to avoid lumps, creating a smooth thickening agent that adds authentic Mexican complexity and rich body to the chili.
- Bean Timing is Crucial: Add beans later in cooking process to prevent mushiness, allowing them to absorb surrounding flavors without losing structural integrity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg