If there’s one meal that makes me think of home, it would have to be chili! It’s just one of those meals that is perfect for a Sunday afternoon at home. Growing up, my family always made chili with meat. But as an adult, I’ve created my own go-to recipe for Hearty Three Bean Chili!
While I was writing this recipe, I got to thinking about how many different ways you can enjoy chili – over rice, over Fritos, with cornbread, on a hot dog, over fries with cheese melted on top… the list is endless! Let me know your favorite way to eat chili in the comments.
The Ingredients
The Ingredients for this Three Bean Chili are pretty common, but pack a ton of flavor! The ingredients you will need are:
- large onion
- red bell pepper
- jalapeno – omit if you don’t like spicy or remove seeds.
- minced garlic
- diced tomatoes
- black beans, pinto beans, and red kidney beans
- tomato paste
- vegetable broth
- spices
- chili powder
- ground cumin
- smoked paprika
- chipotle (optional, but highly recommended)
- cayenne pepper (optional, but highly recommended)
If you like this recipe, you might also like: Bangin’ Fish Taco Bowls and Charred Corn and Pineapple Pico de Gallo.
The Method
This Hearty Three Bean Chili only takes about 10 minutes to get started and the rest of the time is just letting it simmer and develop flavor. I always like to start a recipe by gathering my ingredients and dicing/preparing my produce so that the cooking process goes smoother.
After gathering and preparing ingredients, heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a dutch oven over medium heat. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes or until the onion become translucent. Then add the jalapeno and garlic and stir to combine.
Once the garlic is fragrant (about 30 seconds), you’ll add your spices! I also add 1-2 tbsp of broth at this point so that the spices can bloom without burning. This really helps develop flavors in the chili! At this point, everything happens pretty fast. After a minute or two, the liquid will have evaporated. Add tomato paste and stir to combine.
Lastly, add the remaining broth, tomatoes, and drained beans. Bring to a low boil, then cover and reduce heat to low or low-medium. Just enough heat to keep a simmer going. Simmer for at least 45 minutes.
Serve over rice, over fritos, or with cornbread. Then, top with your favorite chili toppings, such as sour cream, shredded cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime!
I hope you enjoy this Hearty Three Bean Chili! If you decide to make it, be sure to post a picture on Instagram using #SNGeats!
Hearty Three Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 large onion diced
- 1 red bell pepper diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 jalapeno diced (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin ground
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp chipotle ground (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 28 oz can diced tomatoes
- 15.5 oz can black beans drained
- 15.5 oz can red kidney beans drained
- 15.5 oz can pinto beans drained
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- sea salt to taste
Instructions
- Start by gathering and preparing your ingredients. Dice onions and peppers, mince garlic, and combine spices for chili.
- Heat a dutch oven or medium/large pot over medium heat with 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Once it's warmed up, add the diced onions and diced red bell pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes, until the onions become translucent. Then, add garlic and jalapeno. Stir and cook for 30 seconds or until garlic is fragrant.
- Stir in spices and 1-2 tablespoons of the broth and allow the spices to bloom until the liquid has evaporated. Then, add tomato paste and stir to combine everything.
- Add remaining ingredients – canned tomatoes, broth, and drained beans. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a low boil. Then, cover and lower heat to low-medium. Simmer for at least 45 minutes. Adjust salt to taste (this will depend on the salt level of your broth).
- Serve over rice, over Fritos, or with cornbread. Top with your favorite chili toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, jalapenos, and a squeeze of lime. Make it your own and enjoy!
