Hearty Chili Bowl Base (Printable)

Comforting chili with beans, beef, and spices over rice with your favorite toppings.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chili Base

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 pound ground beef
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 cup corn kernels
12 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
19 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth

→ Serving Base

20 - 2 cups cooked rice or grains

→ Toppings

21 - Shredded cheddar cheese
22 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt
23 - Sliced green onions
24 - Chopped cilantro
25 - Diced avocado
26 - Jalapeño slices
27 - Lime wedges

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and diced bell peppers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until tender.
03 - Add ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to develop depth of flavor.
05 - Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
06 - Pour in broth and bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - While chili simmers, prepare rice or grains according to package instructions.
08 - Spoon cooked grains into serving bowls and ladle chili over the top. Add desired toppings and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in an hour but tastes like you've been simmering it all day.
  • The spice blend hits that perfect balance between warm and bold without overwhelming your palate.
  • You can load it with toppings or keep it simple—it works either way, making everyone happy at the table.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned beans—that starchy liquid makes the broth cloudy and gives the whole dish a gummy texture you'll regret.
  • Smoked paprika is not optional; regular paprika tastes flat by comparison, and this small detail is what separates a decent chili from one people ask about days later.
03 -
  • Make this a full day ahead and reheat it gently—overnight chili tastes markedly better as the flavors marry and deepen.
  • If your chili looks too thick after simmering, add a splash more broth, but do this slowly because texture matters more than you think.
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