Carolina Chili Beans

Warm, hearty, and packed with bold Southern flavors, Carolina Chili Beans is the ultimate comfort food for any chili lover. This one-pot recipe combines tender ground beef, a medley of kidney and pinto beans, and a rich, tomato-based broth seasoned with chili powder, smoked paprika, and a touch of cayenne for subtle heat. A dash of brown sugar and white vinegar adds just the right balance of sweetness and tang, elevating this chili to new heights. With just 15 minutes of prep time and a slow simmer that melds all the savory flavors together, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or a crowd-pleasing game day feast. Customize it with toppings like shredded cheddar, sour cream, or sliced green onions, and enjoy a soul-satisfying bowl of Carolina Chili Beans that’s guaranteed to become a family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium, finely diced sweet onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 28 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 15 ounces, drained and rinsed canned kidney beans
• 15 ounces, drained and rinsed canned pinto beans
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0 optional toppings: shredded cheddar, sour cream, sliced green onions, hot sauce

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to get hot.

Step 2

Add the ground beef to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Once cooked, drain off excess grease and set the beef aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 4

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.

Step 5

Return the cooked ground beef to the pot. Add the crushed tomatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, kidney beans, and pinto beans. Stir well to combine.

Step 6

Sprinkle in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar. Stir thoroughly to distribute the spices.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

After 30 minutes, stir in the white vinegar. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 9

Serve the Carolina Chili Beans hot with your choice of toppings, such as shredded cheddar, sour cream, sliced green onions, or hot sauce.

Step 10

Enjoy your hearty bowl of Carolina Chili Beans!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2826.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2455.7

Total Fat 111.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 41.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.4g
Cholesterol 351.1mg	0%
Sodium 7925.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 236.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 71.0g	0%
Total Sugars 54.1g
Protein 154.7g	0%

Vitamin D 6IU	0%
Calcium 840.5mg	0%
Iron 39.2mg	0%
Potassium 7720.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 39.1%

Protein: 24.1%

Carbs: 36.8%