Simple Beef Chili With Beans

Submitted by Michelle Figueroa

"My husband got this from Cook's Illustrated"

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 16
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped fine (about 2 cups)
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 6 medium garlic cloves, pressed through garlic press (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1⁄4 cup chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 lbs ground beef, 85 percent lean
• 2 (15 ounce) cans beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1 (28 ounce) can tomato puree
• table salt
• 2 limes, cut into wedges

directions

1. Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed nonreactive Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onions, bell pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, pepper flakes, oregano, and cayenne; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and add half the beef; cook, breaking up pieces with wooden spoon, until no longer pink and just beginning to brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add remaining beef and cook, breaking up pieces with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes.
2. Add beans, tomatoes, tomato puree, and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Remove cover and continue to simmer 1 hour longer, stirring occasionally (if chili begins to stick to bottom of pot, stir in 1/2 cup water and continue to simmer), until beef is tender and chili is dark, rich, and slightly thickened. Adjust seasoning with additional salt. Serve with lime wedges and condiments if desired.
3. Slow Cooker Option: At the end of step 1, transfer the cooked beef mixture to a slow cooker; add the rest of the ingredients as directed in step 2. Cook the chili on the high setting for four hours.