Description
Easy two-meat chili combines ground beef and Italian sausage for extra flavor. Simple beginner recipe with rich, hearty taste perfect for winter nights.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices
- 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 ounces) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- For Serving: Shredded sharp cheddar cheese, Sour cream, Sliced green onions, Fresh cilantro, Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Add ground beef and Italian sausage to the pot, breaking meat apart with a wooden spoon and cooking for 8-10 minutes until browned thoroughly with no pink remaining.
- Drain excess grease from the pot, leaving about 2 tablespoons of fat for flavor.
- Add diced onion and bell pepper to the browned meat and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper over the meat mixture and stir for 1-2 minutes to toast the spices.
- Add diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, tomato paste, drained black beans, drained kidney beans, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring well to combine all ingredients.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and maintain a gentle simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens and flavors meld together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, chili powder, or hot sauce as desired.
- Serve hot in bowls topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions, cilantro, and tortilla chips on the side. Ensure all meat reaches an internal temperature of 160°F for food safety.
Notes
- Use sweet Italian sausage instead of regular for milder flavor, or hot Italian sausage for extra heat.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option; add an extra tablespoon of olive oil.
- Swap kidney beans for pinto beans or white beans based on preference.
- Add 1 diced red bell pepper along with the green pepper for sweeter, more colorful chili.
- Use fire-roasted diced tomatoes instead of regular for deeper, smokier flavor.
- Stir in 1 can diced green chiles with the tomatoes for mild heat and tangy flavor.
- Brown the meat in batches if your pot is crowded to ensure proper browning instead of steaming.
- Add tomato paste with the spices and cook briefly to caramelize it slightly for deeper umami flavor.
- Make the chili a day ahead and refrigerate overnight; flavors deepen and improve with time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop Simmer
- Cuisine: American