This isn’t your average chili — caramelizing the ForYou® onions, celery, and carrots first builds a deeper, sweeter base that elevates the whole pot. Add ground beef, beans, and your spice blend, then let it simmer. Top with cheese, cilantro, and sour cream and dig in.
- 2 T. vegetable oil
- 12 oz ground beef (preferably 80% lean)
- 1 medium yellow onion, medium diced
- 1 red, yellow, or orange bell pepper, seeded and medium diced
- 2 medium stalks of celery, medium diced
- 2 small carrots, peeled and sliced 1/8″ thick
- 1 T. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. cumin
- 3 canned chipotle chiles packed in adobo, seeded and finely minced
- 1 serrano pepper, minced (remove seeds for a less spicy chili)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 roma tomatoes, cored and medium diced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans in their juices
- 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans in their juices
- 1 (14 oz) can tomato puree
- 2 C. beef broth
- 1/2 C. shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 C. sour cream
- 4 cilantro leaves for garnish
- salt and pepper to taste
1. Place a large, heavy stock pot over medium-high heat. Add the vegetable oil followed by the ground beef, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook the beef, breaking it up as you go, until the meat has browned, about 7 minutes.
3. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, carrots, salt, and pepper to the pan and cook until the vegetables begin to caramelize, about 10 minutes more. Add the paprika, cumin, chipotles, serrano, and garlic and cook for 2 minutes more.
4. Pour in the tomatoes, beans and their juices, tomato puree, and beef broth.
5. Season the chili with salt and pepper, then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the chili, allowing the flavors to develop, about 20 minutes.
6. Ladle the chili into bowls and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of shredded cheddar.
7. Top the cheese with 1 tablespoon of sour cream and garnish with a cilantro leaf.
