Description
Hearty no-bean chili combines robust beef with rich spices for a satisfying meal perfect for cold nights. Warm bowls of this classic comfort dish invite you to savor each spoonful with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs (907 g) lean ground beef
- 28 oz (794 g) chunky tomato puree or diced tomatoes
- 6 oz (170 g) tomato paste
- 2 cups (473 ml) beef stock
- 1 white onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsps (30 g) mild chili powder
- 2 tsp (10 g) cumin
- 2 tbsps (16 g) cornmeal
- 1 tsp (5 g) paprika
- 1 tsp (6 g) kosher salt
- 1 tsp (2 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, then brown ground beef completely, breaking it into small pieces until no pink remains.
- Vegetable Integration: Add onions, green peppers, jalapeño, and garlic to the browned meat, sautéing until vegetables become soft and aromatic.
- Spice Infusion: Sprinkle cumin, paprika, chili powder, kosher salt, and black pepper over the meat-vegetable mixture, thoroughly combining to distribute flavors evenly.
- Flavor Layering: Incorporate tomato paste and cornmeal, stirring constantly to prevent sticking and enhance the chili’s depth of flavor.
- Liquid Incorporation: Pour in diced tomatoes and beef stock, deglazing the pot to capture caramelized bits and create a rich base.
- Simmering Process: Reduce heat to low, allowing chili to simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally and adjusting liquid if needed to maintain desired consistency.
- Final Touches: Adjust seasoning to taste, then serve hot with a garnish of shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, and sliced scallions.
- Storage Instructions: Store leftover chili in sealed containers, refrigerating for up to 4 days or freezing for 2 months, reheating gently when ready to serve.
Notes
- Meat Mastery: Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for optimal flavor and juiciness, ensuring the chili remains rich and not dry.
- Spice Precision: Toast spices briefly before adding to enhance their depth and release aromatic compounds, creating a more complex flavor profile.
- Thickness Strategy: Cornmeal acts as a natural thickener, helping achieve the perfect chili consistency without making the dish too heavy or starchy.
- Temperature Control: Maintain a low, gentle simmer to prevent burning and allow flavors to meld together, developing a harmonious and deeply satisfying taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 353
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 672 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg