30-Minute Chili With Ground Beef and Beans

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/18/22
30 Minute Chili with Cornbread
Diana Rattray
Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Total: 30 mins
Servings: 6 servings

This ground beef chili is hearty and delicious, and it takes only 30 minutes from start to finish. Don't feel overwhelmed by the list of ingredients—many are suggested toppings. 

The ground beef is quickly browned, then it is combined with a spice mixture, beans, and tomatoes for a quick and easy meal for a busy day. It's also easy on the budget.

Make a pan of cornbread to go with the chili, along with a salad or slaw, or serve it with hot cooked rice and warm tortillas.

If you're making this for a party game day gathering, offer several toppings with the chili and add a bowl of tortilla chips to the menu. The recipe is easily doubled.

Related: Favorite Crock Pot Chili Recipes

Ingredients

For the Seasoning Mix:

  • 3 tablespoons chili powder

  • 2 tablespoons minced dried onion

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin

  • 1 teaspoon oregano

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Chili:

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef, at least 85 percent lean

  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes

  • 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes with mild green chile peppers

  • 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce

  • 1 (15- to 16-ounce) can black beans, undrained

  • Salt, to taste

  • Shredded cheddar, cheddar jack, or a Mexican blend of cheeses, optional

For Toppings (optional):

  • Sour cream

  • Green onion, chopped

  • Red onion, chopped

  • Shredded lettuce

  • Cilantro

  • Guacamole

  • Tomatoes, diced

Steps to Make It

  1. In a small bowl or cup, combine the chili powder with the dried minced onion, cumin, oregano, sugar, garlic powder, and the black and cayenne peppers. Blend well and set aside.

  2. In a Dutch oven or large sauté pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef, turning and breaking up with a spatula as it cooks.

  3. Drain the ground beef well. Return the beef to the pan over medium heat. Add the chili seasoning mix and stir to blend.  

  4. Add the 2 cans of tomatoes, tomato sauce, and undrained black beans.  Stir to blend ingredients.

  5. Bring the chili to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. 

  6. Taste and add salt, as needed. 

  7. Serve with a Tex-Mex cornbread or classic Southern cornbread, biscuits, crackers, or tortilla chips, along with shredded cheese and your favorite toppings.

Tip

  • If you don't have diced tomatoes with chile peppers, use regular diced tomatoes and add mild green chile peppers. Or use about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chunky mild to medium salsa in place of the second can of tomatoes.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
380 Calories
15g Fat
24g Carbs
39g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 380
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 15g 19%
Saturated Fat 6g 28%
Cholesterol 101mg 34%
Sodium 1132mg 49%
Total Carbohydrate 24g 9%
Dietary Fiber 9g 31%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 39g
Vitamin C 19mg 95%
Calcium 112mg 9%
Iron 7mg 39%
Potassium 1158mg 25%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)