Hearty Chili Bowl Base (Printable)

Hearty chili with beans, corn, and savory spices served over fluffy rice or grains

# What You 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, optional
19 - 1 cup beef broth

→ Serving

20 - 2 cups cooked rice or grains

→ Toppings

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

# How-To:

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, stirring occasionally.
03 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn kernels, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. Mix thoroughly to combine.
06 - Pour in beef broth, bring to a simmer, then 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 rice or grains into bowls and ladle chili over the top. Add desired toppings and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's genuinely forgiving—this chili gets better the longer it simmers, so timing pressure is basically nonexistent.
  • One pot means one pot to clean, which feels like a small victory on nights when you're already tired.
  • You become the topping architect, so everyone at your table gets exactly what they want without fussing.
02 -
  • Drain your canned beans before adding them; that thick liquid makes chili gluey and dilutes the flavors you're working hard to build.
  • Don't skip the tomato paste cooking step—it sounds fussy, but that minute transforms the raw taste into something rounded and complex.
03 -
  • A splash of lime juice right before serving adds brightness that makes everything taste more alive, even if you didn't add it during cooking.
  • If your chili ends up too thick, thin it with a little broth; if it's too thin, let it simmer uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce.
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