Southern Chili Recipe: Hearty, Spicy & Comforting Bowl of Flavor

Southern Chili is a warm, hearty, and flavorful dish perfect for cozy dinners or game-day meals. This recipe combines tender beef, beans, tomatoes, and a blend of spices for a rich, savory chili that packs a mild southern heat. Easy to prepare and simmered to perfection, it’s ideal for busy weeknights or meal prep. With layers of flavor from onions, garlic, and peppers, this Southern Chili delivers comforting taste with every bite. Serve it with cornbread, rice, or toppings like shredded cheese and sour cream for a classic, satisfying meal that the whole family will love.

Ingredients Of Southern Chili Recipe

Why You Will Love This Southern Chili Recipe

This Southern Chili recipe is hearty, flavorful, and comforting. Tender beef, beans, and peppers simmer in a rich, spiced tomato base. Perfect for family dinners, game days, or meal prep, it’s easy to make and full of bold southern flavors. The combination of spices and fresh ingredients creates a satisfying, warming chili everyone will enjoy.

Preparation Process Of Southern Chili Recipe

Brown ground beef with onions and garlic. Add diced peppers, tomatoes, tomato paste, and broth. Stir in chili powder, paprika, cumin, and oregano. Simmer for at least 30 minutes until flavors meld. Add beans and optional heat, cook a few more minutes. Adjust seasoning to taste for a rich, hearty southern chili ready to serve.

Step By Step Instructions

Brown the Beef
Heat a large pot, cook ground beef until fully browned. Drain excess fat to keep chili rich but not greasy.

Sauté Aromatics
Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Stir until fragrant and slightly softened, forming a flavorful base for the chili.

Add Peppers
Stir in diced green and red bell peppers. Cook a few minutes to enhance their sweetness and texture in the chili.

Add Tomatoes and Paste
Add canned diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir thoroughly to combine, creating a rich, thick tomato base.

Add Spices and Broth
Mix in chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth and stir until evenly combined.

Simmer the Chili
Reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the chili to thicken perfectly.

Add Beans
Stir in kidney and black beans. Simmer an additional 10 minutes to heat through and incorporate flavors.

Adjust Seasoning
Taste and add salt, pepper, or optional hot sauce to achieve desired flavor and spice level before serving.

How to Serve?

• Serve hot in bowls with shredded cheese and sour cream
• Pair with warm cornbread or bread rolls
• Top with chopped green onions or cilantro
• Serve over steamed rice for a hearty meal
• Add tortilla chips or jalapeños for extra crunch and spice

Tips & Variations

Nutrition

1. Calories: 320
2. Protein: 25g
3. Fat: 12g
4. Carbohydrates: 28g
5. Fiber: 8g
6. Sugar: 6g
7. Sodium: 820mg

Recipe Card

Southern Chili Recipe

Recipe by Rachael rayCourse: Chili Recipe

Servings

6 people

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

45

minutes

Calories

320

kcal

Southern Chili is a hearty, flavorful dish with tender beef, beans, and peppers simmered in a rich, spiced tomato base. Perfect for cozy dinners, game days, or meal prep, this chili delivers bold southern flavors with minimal effort. Aromatics like onions and garlic create a savory foundation while chili powder, paprika, and cumin add warmth and depth. Beans provide texture and protein, making this dish satisfying and complete. Serve with cornbread, rice, or toppings like shredded cheese and sour cream. Easy to make, comforting, and versatile, this Southern Chili recipe is a family favorite that’s ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

• Ground beef

• Onion chopped

• Garlic minced

• Green bell pepper diced

• Red bell pepper diced

• Canned diced tomatoes

• Tomato paste

• Kidney beans drained

• Black beans drained

• Beef broth

• Chili powder

• Paprika

• Cumin

• Oregano

• Salt and pepper

• Optional: hot sauce or cayenne for extra heat

Directions

• Brown the Beef
• Heat a large pot, cook ground beef until fully browned. Drain excess fat to keep chili rich but not greasy.
• Sauté Aromatics
• Add chopped onions and minced garlic. Stir until fragrant and slightly softened, forming a flavorful base for the chili.
• Add Peppers
• Stir in diced green and red bell peppers. Cook a few minutes to enhance their sweetness and texture in the chili.
• Add Tomatoes and Paste
• Add canned diced tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir thoroughly to combine, creating a rich, thick tomato base.
• Add Spices and Broth
• Mix in chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour in beef broth and stir until evenly combined.
• Simmer the Chili
• Reduce heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and the chili to thicken perfectly.
• Add Beans
• Stir in kidney and black beans. Simmer an additional 10 minutes to heat through and incorporate flavors.
• Adjust Seasoning
• Taste and add salt, pepper, or optional hot sauce to achieve desired flavor and spice level before serving.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Use fresh ingredients for best flavor.
• Reserve some beans for garnish if desired.
• Leftovers store well in the fridge for 3 days.

FAQs

Conclusion