Hearty Chili Bowl Base (Printable Version)

Hearty chili over rice with beans, beef, and customizable toppings for a satisfying meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chili Base

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 green bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 pound ground beef
07 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
08 - 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
09 - 1 can (15 ounces) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
10 - 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
11 - 1 cup corn kernels
12 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
13 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
14 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
18 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
19 - 1 cup beef or vegetable broth

→ Serving

20 - 2 cups cooked rice or grains

→ Toppings

21 - Shredded cheddar cheese, optional
22 - Sour cream or Greek yogurt, optional
23 - Sliced green onions, optional
24 - Chopped cilantro, optional
25 - Diced avocado, optional
26 - Jalapeño slices, optional
27 - Lime wedges, optional

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add minced garlic and diced bell peppers to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until peppers begin to soften.
03 - Add ground beef to the pot and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink, approximately 5-7 minutes.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, allowing flavors to meld.
05 - Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if desired. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
06 - Pour in broth and bring mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
07 - While chili simmers, prepare rice or grains according to package instructions.
08 - Spoon prepared grains into serving bowls and ladle chili over the top. Add desired toppings and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in about an hour, which means dinner can go from idea to table without stress.
  • The spice blend hits different when you toast those dried spices first—trust me on this one.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, and it freezes beautifully for those future moments when you need instant comfort.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing your canned beans—it removes excess sodium and that tinny flavor that nobody really enjoys.
  • Taste near the end and adjust seasoning honestly; that cayenne and chili powder punch harder after they've simmered for a while.
03 -
  • Toast your dried spices in the pot for 30 seconds before the liquid goes in—this wakes them up and deepens their flavor in ways that feel like magic.
  • If it tastes flat at the end, it's probably missing salt or acid; a squeeze of lime juice or a pinch more salt can transform it completely.
Return