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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Fat Elimination: Drain excess grease from meat mixture to ensure a lean, robust chili base.
- Flavor Fusion: Merge kidney beans, stewed tomatoes, and tomato sauce into the meat, stirring comprehensively to create a uniform texture and flavor profile.
- Seasoning Infusion: Sprinkle chili powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper throughout the mixture, distributing spices evenly to enhance overall taste complexity.
- Liquid Calibration: Pour water into the skillet, creating the perfect moisture balance and preventing potential burning during the cooking process.
- 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.
- 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