Description
Hearty chili beans with rice brings comfort and warmth to dinner tables across kitchens. Spicy beans nestled over fluffy rice create a satisfying meal you can savor with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (1 pound) ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 cups (1 lb or 425 g) dry pinto beans OR 4 (15 oz / 425 g) cans pinto beans, drained
- 2 cups uncooked white rice
- 1 yellow onion, chopped (about 1 ½ cups)
- 1 jalapeño pepper (cooked, canned), sliced (or substitute with 1 cup of Pace brand salsa)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped (about 1 tsp)
- 1 to 2 tbsps chili powder
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 (14 oz / 400 g) can crushed or whole peeled tomatoes
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- Bean Preparation: Soak dried beans overnight or use rapid pressure cooker method, draining thoroughly to ensure optimal tenderness and texture.
- Rice Foundation: Combine rice, water, unsalted butter, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to minimal heat, covering pot tightly. Simmer 15-18 minutes until liquid fully absorbs, creating a fluffy base.
- Aromatic Infusion: Heat olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Sauté yellow onions until translucent, then introduce minced garlic and chili powder. Stir continuously to release intense flavor profiles, creating a robust aromatic base.
- Protein Transformation: Elevate skillet heat to medium-high. Add ground beef or turkey, allowing meat to develop rich caramelized edges. Brown protein uniformly, creating depth of flavor and textural complexity.
- Flavor Layering: Merge sautéed onion mixture with browned protein. Incorporate diced tomatoes, jalapeño peppers, parsley, and kosher salt. Calibrate chili powder to achieve desired heat intensity, building a robust flavor profile.
- Final Melding: Integrate cooked beans into meat mixture, allowing ingredients to harmonize. Simmer 6-8 minutes, stirring periodically to prevent burning. Adjust seasonings to perfect taste balance and overall dish character.
- Culinary Presentation: Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves moments before serving. Present atop steamed rice or accompany with warm corn tortillas for a complete, satisfying meal experience.
Notes
- Soak Smart: Use overnight soaking or pressure cooker method to ensure beans become tender and reduce cooking time dramatically.
- Rice Perfection: Always use a tight-fitting lid when cooking rice to trap steam and create fluffy, evenly cooked grains without becoming mushy.
- Flavor Layer Technique: Sauté onions and garlic before adding meat to build deep, complex flavor foundations that elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Spice Control: Adjust chili powder incrementally to manage heat level, remembering you can always add more but cannot remove excess spiciness once incorporated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 404
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 423 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 11 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg