Beef and Black Bean Chili – The Ultimate Crowd-Pleasing, One-Pot Chili Everyone Goes Crazy For

This is the chili that disappears first at every party. Perfectly seasoned ground beef and black bean chili hearty, slightly smoky, mildly spicy, and packed with so much flavor you’ll never go back to plain chili again. 10 minutes prep, one pot, 45 minutes total, and it tastes like it simmered all day.

Why This Beef & Black Bean Chili Is Pure Gold

• Ground beef + black beans = perfect texture & protein combo
• 10-minute prep → 35-minute simmer
• Naturally gluten-free & budget-friendly
• Kid-approved heat level (but easy to crank up)
• Freezer-friendly and even better the next day
• The chili people fight over at potlucks

Ingredients (Serves 8 big bowls)

Meat & Beans

• 2 lbs ground beef (80/20 or 85/15)
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids

• 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes (fire-roasted if possible)
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste

Spice Blend

• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp cocoa powder (secret depth)
• ½ tsp cinnamon (the “what is that?” flavor)
• 1–2 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Optional: ½–1 tsp cayenne or chipotle powder for heat

Finishers

• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro

Toppings

• Shredded cheddar, sour cream, green onions, avocado, Fritos

Step-by-Step Instructions – 45 Minutes Total

1. Brown ground beef in large pot → break into crumbles → drain excess fat if desired.
2. Add onion + bell pepper → cook 5–7 min.
3. Add garlic + tomato paste + all spices → cook 2 min.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, black beans → stir well.
5. Bring to boil → reduce to simmer → cook uncovered 30–35 min until thick.
6. Stir in lime juice + cilantro → taste → adjust salt/heat.
7. Serve loaded with toppings.

Crockpot Version
After step 3 → dump everything in crockpot → LOW 6–8 hrs or HIGH 3–4 hrs.

Pro Tips for Legendary Chili

• Cocoa + cinnamon → restaurant-level depth
• Lime at the end → brightens everything
• Let it simmer uncovered → thickens perfectly
• Make double → freezes 4 months
• Day 2 leftovers = flavor explosion

Nutrition (per bowl)

Isla Marie

Beef and Black Bean Chili

Hearty ground beef and creamy black bean chili with the perfect smoky-spicy balance and two secret ingredients (cocoa + cinnamon) that make everyone ask for the recipe.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 8 big bowls

Course: Chili, Freezer Meal, Main Course, Potluck, Weeknight Dinner

Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex Inspired

Calories: 410

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Meat & Beans

• 2 lbs ground beef 80/20 or 85/15
• 2 15 oz cans black beans, drained & rinsed

Veggies

• 1 large onion diced
• 1 green bell pepper diced
• 4 cloves garlic minced

Liquids

• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste

Spices

• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon secret #1
• 1 –2 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Optional: ½–1 tsp cayenne or chipotle powder

Finish

• Juice of 1 lime
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Toppings

• Shredded cheddar sour cream, avocado, green onions, Fritos

Equipment

• Large heavy pot or Dutch oven (6+ qt)
• Wooden spoon

Method

 

1. Brown beef in pot → crumble → drain excess fat if desired.
2. Add onion + bell pepper → cook 5–7 min until soft.
3. Add garlic + tomato paste + ALL spices → cook 2 min.
4. Pour in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, black beans → stir.
5. Bring to boil → reduce to simmer → cook uncovered 30–35 min until thick.
6. Stir in lime juice + cilantro → taste → adjust salt/heat.
7. Serve loaded with toppings!
8. Crockpot Option
9. After step 3 → dump everything into slow cooker → LOW 6–8 hrs or HIGH 3–4 hrs.

Notes

Cocoa + cinnamon = the “restaurant” depth

Lime at the end wakes everything up

Make 24 hrs ahead → flavor goes crazy

Freezes up to 4 months

Naturally gluten-free