Bold Paula Deen Chili Recipe

Paula Deen’s chili is a culinary symphony that elevates weeknight dinners from mundane to magnificent.

Bursting with bold spices and hearty ingredients, this recipe captures the essence of Southern comfort cooking.

Tender meat simmers alongside aromatic seasonings, creating a flavor explosion that tantalizes taste buds.

The dish whispers stories of family gatherings and cozy kitchen moments.

Robust and unpretentious, it delivers warmth in every spoonful.

Each ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting this soul-satisfying meal.

Get ready to fall in love with a chili recipe that will become your new dinnertime hero.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 5

Paula Deen’s Classic Chili Ingredients

• Ground Beef: Choose lean beef for less grease and richer flavor, ensuring even browning and maximum taste absorption.
• Kidney Beans: Select dark red kidney beans with smooth, unblemished skin for robust texture and authentic chili character.

• Tomato Sauce: Pick San Marzano or organic tomato sauce for deeper, sweeter undertones.
• Stewed Tomatoes: Opt for whole peeled tomatoes with minimal added preservatives for a fresher taste profile.

• Chili Powder, Garlic Powder: Select freshly ground spices from reputable brands to ensure vibrant, intense flavor notes.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Use kosher salt for balanced seasoning and freshly cracked black pepper for aromatic warmth.

Tools Needed for Classic Chili

• Large saucepan: Sturdy, wide-bottomed pan perfect for browning meat and simmering chili.
• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring beef and ensuring even cooking without scratching pan surface.
• Measuring spoons: Precise tool for adding exact amounts of spices like chili and garlic powder.
• Can opener: Essential for easily opening tomato sauce and stewed tomato cans.
• Cutting board: Stable surface for chopping onions before adding to the pan.
• Sharp knife: Helps finely chop onions with clean, quick cuts.

Simple Instructions for Paula Deen’s Chili

• Kickstart The Flavor Burst

Fire up a large pan and dance ground beef with diced onions. Sizzle and stir for several minutes until meat transforms into a rich, golden brown and onions turn soft and glassy.

• Create A Robust Base

Pour tomato sauce, kidney beans, and stewed tomatoes directly into the meaty foundation. Let the ingredients mingle and create a hearty landscape of deliciousness. Splash some warm water if the mixture feels too thick, stirring gently to blend.

• Spice Up The Symphony

Shower the bubbling mixture with chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Swirl these seasonings throughout, allowing each spice to whisper its unique story into the developing chili.

• Let Magic Simmer

Drop the heat to a gentle whisper, cover the pan, and let everything cuddle together for about 15 minutes. This quiet moment allows flavors to tango and transform, creating a rich, soul-warming dish that speaks comfort in every spoonful. Ladle into bowls and prepare for a taste adventure that hugs your taste buds.

Spice Tips and Flavor Swaps

• Boost Your Beef Chili: Expert Tips and Delicious Twists
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust the heat by increasing or decreasing chili powder. For mild lovers, start with less; for heat seekers, add cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños for an extra kick.
• Protein Power-Up: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a leaner protein option. Each alternative brings a unique flavor profile to your classic chili recipe.
• Veggie Boost Technique: Sneak in extra nutrition by adding diced bell peppers, corn, or zucchini during the initial cooking stage. These vegetables enhance texture and provide additional nutrients without overwhelming the dish.
• Topping Transformation: Elevate your chili with creative garnishes like shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced green onions, or crushed tortilla chips. These toppings add layers of flavor and create a personalized dining experience.

How to Present Paula Deen’s Chili

• Serve with Cheesy Cornbread Companions: Whip up a batch of golden, cheese-studded cornbread to complement the rich, hearty chili. The warm, crumbly bread soaks up the savory sauce perfectly.
• Garnish with Fresh Flavor Boosters: Top each chili serving with vibrant chopped green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, and a dollop of cool sour cream. These fresh additions add creamy texture and zingy brightness.
• Create a Cozy Chili Feast: Pair the chili with crisp tortilla chips or buttery garlic bread for a complete meal. These crunchy sides provide a delightful contrast to the tender, spicy chili.
• Transform into Chili Loaded Potatoes: Spoon the warm chili over fluffy baked potatoes, creating a hearty and filling dinner option that's sure to satisfy hungry appetites.

Storing and Freezing Leftover Chili

• Maximize Meal Prep: Store this hearty chili in airtight containers for easy, delicious future meals.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Keep leftover chili in sealed containers for up to 4 days, maintaining peak flavor and food safety.
• Freeze for Later: Pack chili in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, where it stays delicious for 3-4 months without losing taste or texture.
• Reheat Like a Pro: Thaw frozen chili in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching and ensure even heating.

Hearty Paula Deen Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty Paula Deen chili combines robust ground beef with classic Tex-Mex spices for a comforting meal. Robust flavors and simple ingredients make this chili a crowd-pleasing dish you’ll want to savor again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) kidney beans
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) stewed tomatoes
• 1 ½ cups (355 ml) water, or as needed
• 1 tsp chili powder, or more to taste
• 1 pinch garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Meat Preparation: Sizzle ground beef and onions in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking down meat and caramelizing onions until thoroughly browned, roughly 6-8 minutes.
2. Fat Elimination: Drain excess grease from meat mixture to ensure a lean, robust chili base.
3. Flavor Fusion: Merge kidney beans, stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce into the meat, stirring comprehensively to create a uniform texture and flavor profile.
4. Seasoning Infusion: Sprinkle chili powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper throughout the mixture, distributing spices evenly to enhance overall taste complexity.
5. Liquid Calibration: Pour water into the skillet, creating the perfect moisture balance and preventing potential burning during the cooking process.
6. Simmering Stage: Bring the mixture to a rapid boil, then immediately reduce heat to low, covering the skillet and allowing ingredients to meld and intensify flavors for 15-20 minutes.
7. Resting Period: Remove from heat and let chili settle for 5 minutes, enabling final flavor development and slight thickening before serving.

Notes

• Drain Fat Thoroughly: Remove excess grease to prevent an oily, heavy chili that can impact overall taste and texture.
• Spice Adjustment: Customize chili powder and seasoning levels to match personal heat preference, starting with recommended amounts and tasting progressively.
• Simmer Smartly: Maintain low, consistent heat during cooking to develop deep flavor complexity and prevent burning or sticking.
• Resting Matters: Allow chili to rest after cooking, enabling spices to fully integrate and creating a more harmonious, rich taste profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg