My Neighbor Renee's Perfect Chili

Warm, hearty, and bursting with bold flavors, My Neighbor Renee's Perfect Chili is the ultimate comfort food that’s perfect for any occasion. Packed with savory ground beef, two kinds of beans, and a medley of colorful peppers, this chili gets its deep, smoky profile from spices like chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. A touch of optional cayenne pepper adds an extra kick for those who love heat. Simmered to perfection in a rich blend of tomatoes and beef broth, this one-pot wonder achieves the perfect balance of thickness and flavor. Ready in just under two hours, this crowd-pleaser is ideal for game days, potlucks, or cozy weeknight dinners. Serve it with your favorite toppings—think shredded cheese, sour cream, or cilantro—and watch it disappear bowl by bowl.

Nutriscore Rating: 78/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:110 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 1 large green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
• 28 ounces diced tomatoes with juices (canned)
• 15 ounces tomato sauce
• 15 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 15 ounces black beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup water or beef broth
• None toppings such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, diced red onions (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Heat a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. Add the olive oil.

Step 2

Once the oil is hot, add the ground beef. Use a wooden spoon to break it up into crumbles as it cooks. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.

Step 3

In the same pot, add the diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, and minced jalapeño to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.

Step 5

Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and black pepper. Cook the spices for 1-2 minutes to enhance their flavor.

Step 6

Return the browned beef to the pot along with the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and water or beef broth. Stir everything together.

Step 7

Bring the chili to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Step 8

After an hour, uncover the pot and let the chili simmer for an additional 20-30 minutes to thicken. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 9

Serve hot in bowls with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or diced red onions.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3799.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3836.1

Total Fat 224.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.9g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 635.0mg	0%
Sodium 5587.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 240.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 77.8g	0%
Total Sugars 55.8g
Protein 237.0g	0%

Vitamin D 63.5IU	0%
Calcium 671.7mg	0%
Iron 48.4mg	0%
Potassium 7458.6mg	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: 51.4%

Protein: 24.1%

Carbs: 24.5%