Hearty beef and black beans gets a smoky kick from toasted cumin, chipotles in adobo and cinnamon stick to create this easy and crowd pleasing chili.
Do you love chili as much as I do? Smoky, sweet and bursting with flavor, chili is a healthy and protein-packed dinner in a bowl. If you’re throwing a party, chili is the perfect dish because not only can it be made the day before – it actually tastes better the next day!
Want to get even more ahead of the game? Make a batch and pop it in the freezer. Boom.
The secret to this chili is as simple as throwing a whole cinnamon stick into the pot while it simmers. Warm cinnamon is the perfect balance for the spicy chipotles and toasted cumin. It will be just the thing that will make your guests wonder what you did to make this chili so tasty.
In fact, we served my Sweet and Smoky Turkey Chili for my little man’s first birthday bash. Guests could help themselves and go crazy with over 12 toppings – from avocado to shredded cheese to Baked Corn Tortilla Chips. Easy and effortless entertaining at it’s best! Just what a new mom needs. ;-)
Your spoon is waiting.
Beef and Black Bean Chili
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef 90% lean
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic grated
- 2 sweet peppers diced (red, yellow or orange)
- 1 tablespoon cumin seeds toasted then crushed or ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 chipotle pepper adobo minced – remove seeds to lower heat level
- 14 ounce can can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 14 ounce can can black beans drained and rinsed
- 4 cups chicken broth low sodium or homemade
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon stick or 1/2 ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons barbeque sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
- diced avocado lime wedges and cilantro – optional garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat and spray with non-stick olive oil spray. Add ground beef plus a pinch of salt and pepper then cook until browned using a wooden spoon to break into small pieces.
- When beef is nicely browned, remove from pan and set aside.
- Add diced onion, garlic and peppers into the pan plus another pinch of salt and pepper. Stir in cumin, chili powder, oregano and chipotle pepper. Cook until veggies are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour in reserved beef along with chicken broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, barbeque sauce and cinnamon stick using wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from bottom of the pan. Bring to boil then simmer on low for 30 minutes.
- Serve with diced avocado, lime wedges and fresh cilantro.
Pam
Instructions are lacking as to when to put the beef in. Way too much cumin and too little chili powder and way too much liquid. Wasn’t the best beef and bean chili out there.
Liz DellaCroce
Hi Pam, Did you start with cumin seeds? That’s why it’s a bit more than ground cumin. :) This is one of our favorite recipes so i’d love to make it a success for you! Also so sorry about not mentioning where you add back the beef. I revised it!!
Ashley
Hi! I tried this recipe today and it was seriously amazing. Thanks for your insight and for sharing the recipe! Will definitely be trying some of the others i see on your blog!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh I’m so glad to here!! It’s one of our favorites.
Laura Ball
yummm, this is currently simmering in a big pot on my stove for tonight’s Superbowl festivities….and it smells heavenly! I may be loosing it, but am I missing where the black beans are in the recipe?
Liz DellaCroce
Oh my gosh Laura – you are NOT losing your mind. Apparently I have lost mine!! :) I blame it on being a mom – haha. Forgive me !!! Recipe is updated.
katie
Oh man this chili looks so good. I always make the same old chili for my husband. I think I need to switch it up and give this recipe a try!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think! So tasty and good!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
I’m so intrigued by the addition of cinnamon in this chili? I think I would just about LOVE that.
This looks super scrumptious!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you Stephanie – give it a shot next time!!! I think you’ll like the balance it provides. :)