Mighty Matt's Kick-Butt Chili – A Bold, Hearty, and Flavor-Packed
Mighty Matt's Kick-Butt Chili is a robust and flavorful one-pot meal featuring ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, and a powerful blend of spices. Slow simmering allows the ingredients to develop rich, complex flavors while creating a thick and hearty texture. This chili is easy to make, feeds a crowd, and tastes even better as leftovers. The balance of smoky, spicy, and savory flavors makes it a favorite for gatherings and family dinners. Garnish with cheese, sour cream, or green onions for extra flavor. Every bowl delivers warmth, comfort, and a satisfying kick.
Ingredients
For the Chili
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth
Seasonings
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions
- In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until browned.Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add diced onion and cook for 4–5 minutes until softened.Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, black beans, and beef broth.Stir well.
- Add chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and brown sugar.
- Bring the chili to a gentle boil.Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 60–75 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- If the chili becomes too thick, add a little extra beef broth.
- Adjust seasoning and heat level as desired.
- Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes.
Notes
- Chili tastes even better the next day.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the heat level.
- Use lean ground beef to reduce grease.
- Simmering longer deepens the flavor.
- Fresh garlic provides the best taste.
- Keep extra broth available for thinning.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator.
- Freeze portions for convenient future meals.