Easy Ina Garten Beef Chili Recipe: Flavorful Comfort in a Bowl

Beef chili represents the ultimate comfort dish that warms souls and creates instant connections around dinner tables.

Cold winter nights beg for hearty meals packed with robust flavors and satisfying textures.

Passionate home cooks understand the magic of transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Rich ground beef combined with aromatic spices transforms an ordinary meal into a memorable culinary experience.

Simmering ingredients meld together, developing deep, complex flavors that tantalize taste buds and invite seconds.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition, creativity, and culinary passion that transcends basic cooking.

Carefully selected spices and techniques elevate this classic recipe from good to absolutely phenomenal: grab your apron and get ready to impress.

Why Ina Garten’s Beef Chili Recipe Packs a Punch

• Speed Up Weeknight Dinner: This chili recipe delivers a hearty, flavorful meal in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for busy families who want delicious comfort food without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Customize Your Comfort: The recipe offers flexible heat levels by including optional cayenne pepper, allowing home cooks to adjust spiciness according to their taste preferences and create a personalized dining experience.
• One-Pot Wonder: Prepared in a single soup pot with straightforward steps, this chili minimizes kitchen cleanup and provides a stress-free cooking process that even novice home chefs can confidently navigate.
• Nutrient-Packed Meal: Packed with protein from ground beef, fiber-rich beans, and a robust blend of spices, this chili delivers a balanced and satisfying meal that keeps you full and nourished without complicated preparation techniques.

Components Needed for Ina Garten Beef Chili

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the chili, best when freshly ground with moderate fat content.
• Olive Oil: A healthy cooking fat that helps sauté ingredients and adds subtle depth to the dish, choose extra virgin for best taste.

• Chili Powder: Provides warmth and signature chili flavor, look for a high-quality blend with deep color.
• Cumin: Adds earthy, smoky undertones essential to authentic chili taste.
• Garlic Powder: Provides consistent garlic flavor without chopping fresh garlic.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance overall taste.
• Sugar: Balances the acidity of tomatoes and rounds out flavors.
• Cayenne Pepper (Optional): Adds extra heat for spice lovers.

• Beef Broth: Creates a rich, savory liquid foundation for the chili.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds texture and acidic brightness to the dish.
• Tomato Paste: Deepens tomato flavor and helps thicken the chili.
• Tomato Sauce: Provides smooth consistency and additional tomato depth.
• Beans: Adds protein, texture, and traditional chili element.

How to Cook Ina Garten Beef Chili Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Onions

Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add chopped onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until softened and translucent.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Add ground beef to the pot and break it apart using a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is completely browned and no pink remains.

Step 3: Add Spice Blend

• Chili powder
• Cumin
• Sugar
• Tomato paste
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Optional: cayenne pepper

Stir until all ingredients are well combined and evenly distributed.

Step 4: Pour Liquid Ingredients

• Beef broth
• Diced tomatoes with juice
• Drained beans
• Tomato sauce

Stir thoroughly to mix all ingredients.

Step 5: Simmer The Chili

Bring the liquid to a low boil. Reduce heat to low or medium-low and gently simmer the chili uncovered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 6: Rest And Serve

Remove the pot from heat and let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows flavors to meld and slightly thicken. Serve hot with optional toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped cilantro.

Chef’s Tips for a Great Ina Garten Beef Chili

• Preserve Flavor Potential: Refrigerate chili overnight to allow spices and ingredients to marry, creating an even more robust taste profile.
• Freeze Wisely: Portion leftover chili into individual containers for convenient future meals, maintaining quality for up to 3 months.
• Garnish Creatively: Sprinkle fresh toppings like crisp green onions, tangy sour cream, or sharp cheddar cheese to elevate serving presentation.
• Develop Depth Gradually: Maintain a low, steady simmer during final cooking stages to help ingredients release maximum flavor without burning.
• Enhance Spice Intensity: Gently toast dry spices in the pot before adding other ingredients, awakening their natural oils and deepening the chili's complexity.

Storing Ina Garten Beef Chili

• Cool Quickly: Spread chili in a shallow pan to lower temperature rapidly, preventing bacterial growth. Quick cooling preserves texture and prevents potential food safety risks.
• Portion Control: Divide chili into individual serving containers before refrigerating. Smaller portions cool faster and make reheating convenient for single meals or quick lunches.
• Freeze Smart: Transfer chili to heavy-duty freezer bags, removing excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label bags with date and contents, ensuring easy tracking and optimal freshness for up to 3 months.

Variations on Ina Garten Beef Chili Recipe

• Smoky Bacon Beef Chili: Crisp chopped bacon and add it to the recipe, creating a rich, smoky flavor profile that adds depth and texture to the classic chili.
• Vegetarian Bean Medley: Replace ground beef with a mix of black beans, kidney beans, and pinto beans, then add extra vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini for a hearty plant-based version.
• Spicy Chipotle Chili: Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for an intense, smoky heat that elevates the traditional chili recipe with a bold southwestern kick.
• White Chicken Chili Remix: Swap ground beef for shredded chicken, use white beans instead of kidney beans, and add green chiles for a lighter, creamy alternative to the classic beef chili.

Looking Back at Ina Garten Beef Chili Recipe

Hearty chili warms souls with Ina Garten’s masterful recipe, blending robust flavors and comforting textures.

Spices dance through tender beef, creating a symphony of southwestern inspiration.

Home kitchens can easily embrace this classic comfort dish with simple ingredients and straightforward techniques.

California’s culinary queen has crafted a chili experience that transcends ordinary weeknight meals.

Rich layers of seasoning elevate this classic recipe from mere sustenance to a memorable dining adventure.

Passionate cooks will savor each spoonful, share this recipe with friends, spark conversations, and celebrate delicious home cooking together.

Ina Garten Beef Chili Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s beef chili delivers robust southwestern comfort with complex layers of hearty meat and deep spice profiles. Simmered to perfection, this crowd-pleasing dish brings warmth and satisfaction straight from her Barefoot Contessa kitchen to your table.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1 pound (453.6 grams) 90% lean ground beef

Spices and Seasonings:

• 2 ½ tablespoons chili powder
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 ½ teaspoons salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 1 ½ cups (355 milliliters) beef broth
• 1 (16 ounces / 454 grams) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 (15 ounces / 425 grams) can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 ounces / 227 grams) can tomato sauce

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Instructions

1. Warm 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of extra virgin olive oil in a spacious cooking vessel over medium-high temperature for approximately two minutes, creating a smooth cooking surface.
2. Gently introduce finely chopped onions into the heated oil, allowing them to soften and become translucent while stirring intermittently for 4-5 minutes.
3. Incorporate lean ground beef into the pot, methodically breaking down the meat using a sturdy wooden utensil, ensuring even browning and cooking for 6-7 minutes until no pink remains.
4. Sprinkle a robust blend of spices including 2 tablespoons (30 grams) chili powder, 1 tablespoon (15 grams) ground cumin, 1 teaspoon (5 grams) granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons (30 grams) tomato paste, 1 teaspoon (5 grams) garlic powder, 1 teaspoon (6 grams) kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 grams) black pepper, and optional 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 grams) cayenne pepper for heat.
5. Pour in 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef broth, 1 can (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes with liquid, 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) drained kidney beans, and 1 cup (240 milliliters) tomato sauce, stirring thoroughly to integrate all ingredients.
6. Allow the mixture to reach a gentle bubbling state, then reduce heat to maintain a low, consistent simmer for 20-25 minutes, occasionally stirring to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
7. After cooking, remove from heat and let the chili rest for 7-10 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and develop a rich, complex taste profile before serving.

Notes

• Transforms ordinary weeknight meals into a restaurant-worthy culinary experience.
• Offers maximum flavor with minimal kitchen effort and cleanup.
• Packs incredible protein punch that satisfies hunger and delights taste buds.
• Freezes beautifully for stress-free meal planning and future dinners.
• Adapts easily to personal spice preferences and dietary needs.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 332 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 537 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg