The Best Thick and Hearty Chili Recipe

This recipe is for a truly thick and hearty chili, the kind that sticks to your ribs and warms you from the inside out. This is classic, no-fuss comfort food at its absolute best. By slow-simmering a rich blend of ground beef, beans, and a deeply savory, spice-infused tomato base, this chili develops an incredible depth of flavor and a wonderfully thick consistency. It’s the perfect one-pot meal for a chilly evening, game day, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Forget thin, soupy chili; this recipe is designed for richness. The combination of a long simmer and a few key ingredients ensures a robust texture that’s perfect for scooping up with corn chips or a piece of cornbread. It’s the kind of chili that tastes even better the next day.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredibly Thick & Hearty: A rich, substantial chili that’s a complete meal in a bowl.
• Packed with Deep Flavor: Slow simmering creates a complex, savory, and perfectly spiced taste.
• Simple, Classic Ingredients: Made with affordable and easy-to-find pantry staples.
• Perfect for a Crowd: Easy to double and always a crowd-pleaser for parties and potlucks.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Ground Beef (80/20 is ideal)
• 1 large Yellow Onion, chopped
• 1 Green Bell Pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 (28 oz) can Crushed Tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can Kidney Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (15 oz) can Pinto or Black Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (6 oz) can Tomato Paste
• 2 cups Beef Broth
• 1/4 cup Chili Powder
• 1 tablespoon Ground Cumin
• 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
• Salt and Black Pepper, to taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sauté Vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 6-8 minutes.
2. Brown the Beef: Add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it’s browned all over. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for one more minute until fragrant.
3. Bloom the Spices: Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and oregano. Stir constantly for about 1 minute until the spices are toasted and fragrant.
4. Combine Ingredients: Stir in the tomato paste until it coats the meat. Pour in the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and the rinsed beans. Season generously with salt and pepper.
5. Simmer for Thickness: Bring the chili to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. For an even thicker chili, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow the liquid to reduce.
6. Serve: Taste the chili and adjust any seasonings as needed. Serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Tips & Variations

• Pro Tip for Thickness: The key to a thick chili is a long, slow simmer. If it’s still not as thick as you’d like, you can mash some of the beans against the side of the pot with a spoon to release their starches, which will naturally thicken the chili.
• Add a Secret Ingredient: For a surprising depth of flavor, stir in 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder or a 1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso powder with the other spices.
• Make it Spicy: Add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper or one finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo for a smoky heat.
• Different Protein: Ground turkey or a mix of ground beef and sausage also work beautifully in this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?
  • Yes. Brown the beef and sauté the vegetables on the stovetop first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• How do I store and reheat leftovers?
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth if it’s too thick. The flavor is famously even better the next day!
• Can I freeze chili?
  • Yes, chili freezes perfectly. Let it cool completely and store it in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

• This thick and hearty chili is a meal in itself. It’s best served hot in a big bowl, loaded with your favorite toppings like shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, chopped fresh cilantro, and sliced jalapeños. Don’t forget a side of crusty bread or cornbread for dipping.

Hearty and Thick Chili (No Beans)

A fresh take on a classic chili, this hearty and thick no-bean chili is the perfect cold weather comfort dish.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 1 minute min

Servings: 10 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 325

Ingredients Equipment Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, whole
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 serrano pepper, seeds and membrane removed, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/3 cup chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
• 2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 6 oz tomato paste (1 can)
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (1 can)
• 3 cups beef stock
• 1/2 cup water

Equipment

• Dutch oven or large stock pot
• wooden spoon or spatula
• Knife and cutting board

Method

 

1. Brown the ground beef in a dutch oven or stock pot until no longer pink, adding salt to season. Drain all the fat.
2. Add olive oil and onion, cooking until softened. Add sweet potatoes and serrano pepper, cook for 5 minutes.
3. Add tomato paste, chili powders, cumin, more salt, black pepper, and allspice. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Slowly add beef stock, cocoa, tomatoes, and water. Stir to combine. Cover and simmer 30 minutes, then uncover and simmer another 30 minutes or longer until thickened. (Optional: simmer low for 3 hours or use a slow cooker on low all day).