Spicy Beef Chili Cheddar (Printable)

Rich, savory chili with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and melted cheddar cheese delivering bold flavors.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 or lean)

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely chopped

→ Beans

06 - 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed

→ Tomatoes & Liquids

08 - 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes
09 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
10 - 1 cup beef broth or stock

→ Spices & Seasonings

11 - 2 tbsp chili powder
12 - 2 tsp ground cumin
13 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
15 - 1 tsp dried oregano
16 - 1 tsp salt
17 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Toppings

18 - 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
19 - Chopped fresh cilantro
20 - Sliced green onions

# Steps:

01 - Heat a drizzle of oil in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, red bell pepper, jalapeño, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until vegetables are softened.
03 - Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, beef broth, kidney beans, and black beans. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer uncovered for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and flavors meld together.
06 - Taste the chili and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt, pepper, or spices.
07 - Ladle hot chili into bowls. Top each serving with shredded cheddar cheese, cilantro, and green onions as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The spice blend hits that perfect balance where your lips tingle but you never reach for milk
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day, so meal prep becomes exciting
02 -
  • Simmering uncovered is crucial because you want that liquid to reduce and concentrate
  • The chili needs at least 45 minutes to develop the depth that makes people ask for seconds
03 -
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded bags for better melting
  • Let the chili rest off the heat for 10 minutes before serving for thicker consistency

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