Chili is seriously one of my favorite parts of the fall-winter season. It’s super easy to make, the leftovers are amazing, and it’s incredibly cozy and hearty. It’s basically all I want to eat from September to March. 😅 Our classic chili recipe is great, but I also love this simple black bean chili because it has a slightly lighter, brighter flavor, and I just have a soft spot for black beans. Gimme all the black beans all of the time! So if you’re looking for something to meal prep for the week or just something to keep you warm as the air outside gets colder, give this black bean chili a try!
What’s in Black Bean Chili
Rather than just substituting all black beans in my classic chili recipe, I also changed the flavor profile of this chili slightly. I used tangy diced tomatoes with green chiles, which gives the chili a nice brightness. I paired that with a little more cumin than usual for a slightly earthy base, and then added some smoked paprika because that smoky flavor pairs really well with the black beans. I also wanted the black beans to be the star of this show, so I actually used half the amount of ground meat as my classic chili, which helps keep it very budget-friendly as well!
Ingredients for Black Bean Chili
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious and hearty pot of black bean chili:
- Onion and Garlic: Any pot of chili is going to start with plenty of onion and garlic to get those savory base flavors in place!
- Ground Beef: I used only a half pound of ground beef for this recipe, but you can increase it to one pound if you prefer a more meaty chili. You can also substitute with ground turkey if preferred.
- Tomatoes: I used a combination of diced tomatoes with green chiles and tomato paste for this chili. The diced tomatoes add texture and a zingy flavor (thanks to the green chiles) and the tomato paste adds richness and helps thicken the chili.
- Herbs and spices: The spice mix for this chili starts with a hefty dose of chili powder, then we add some extra cumin for earthiness, a little smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Feel free to add a little cayenne if you like your chili spicy!
Toppings for Chili
One of the reasons I love chili the most is all of the fun toppings you can add to your bowl. It’s a great opportunity to use up leftovers in your fridge or pantry, and it can just add tons of flavor, color, and texture to the meal! Here are some of my favorite toppings for black bean chili:
- Fresh or pickled jalapeños
- Diced red onion
- Avocado
- Sliced green onion
- Cilantro
- Crushed tortilla chips
- Sour cream
- Cheddar cheese
- Fresh lime juice
- Diced avocado
- Pico de gallo
Serve with a side of Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread!
Black Bean Chili
Servings 6 (about 1.3 cups each)Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.11)
- 1 yellow onion ($0.36)
- 4 cloves garlic ($0.32)
- 1/2 lb. ground beef ($3.50)
- 3 15oz. cans black beans, drained ($2.37)
- 1 10oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles* ($1.00)
- 1 6oz. can tomato paste ($0.99)
- 1 Tbsp chili powder ($0.30)
- 1 tsp ground cumin ($0.10)
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika ($0.05)
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano ($0.05)
- ½ tsp salt ($0.04)
- 2 cups water ($0.00)
Instructions
- Dice the onion and mince the garlic. Add the onion and garlic to a large pot with the olive oil and cook over medium heat just until the onions are softened (2-3 minutes).
- Add the ground beef to the pot and continue to sauté until the beef is cooked through (5-7 minutes).
- Add the drained black beans, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato paste, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, and water. Stir everything to combine.
- Place a lid on the chili and allow it to come up to a simmer. Let the chili simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, to let the flavors blend and help the liquid thicken slightly.
- Taste the chili and add salt as needed (this will depend on the salt content of your canned goods. I added about ½ tsp). Serve with your favorite chili toppings and enjoy!
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
Nutrition
How to Make Black Bean Chili – Step by Step Photos
Begin by dicing one yellow onion and mincing four cloves of garlic. Sauté the onions and garlic with 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-low heat until softened (2-3 minutes).
Add ½ pound ground beef (or turkey) and continue to sauté until the meat is cooked through.
Add three 15oz. cans of black beans (drained), one 10oz. can of diced tomatoes with green chiles (with the juices), one 6oz. can of tomato paste, 1 Tbsp chili powder, 1 tsp ground cumin, ½ tsp smoked paprika, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp salt, and 2 cups of water.
Stir all of the ingredients together until evenly combined. Turn the heat up to medium-high, place a lid on the pot, and allow the chili to come up to a boil. Once it comes up to a boil, give the chili a stir, replace the lid, and reduce the heat to medium-low.
Let the chili simmer over medium-low heat for about fifteen minutes, which will help blend the flavors and thicken the sauce. Give it a taste and add salt if needed. I added about ½ tsp. And that’s it! You’re DONE making dinner!
Add your favorite toppings and go to town! Or divide it up into single-serving portions and refrigerate for really easy ready-to-heat meals for the rest of the week.
can I have an email of the old recipe please
Just sent it! :)
Could I please have the old recipe emailed to me? It was a favorite.
Just sent it! :)
Hi! This sounds delicious….but what’s the difference between this recipe and the old one? Would love to have the old recipe also since everyone is asking for it! 😊
Just emailed it to you! The main difference is this recipe uses ground beef and the old one uses ground turkey. There are also changes in the amounts of tomato paste and diced tomatoes.
Can you please send me the old recipe?
Just sent!
Great recipe!! Can I get the original emailed to me as well please? Thanks in advance!
Just sent!
Great Recipe
Hi I love this recipe for the mass of black bean cans my brother leaves me, though despite it tasting good I can’t get it to thicken up after following step by step. Is there a way to thicken it without changing the taste?
You’re positive you only added two cups of water? It should be pretty thick without any help! In the future maybe you can mash up some of the beans to thicken it up!
Could I also have the older version of the recipe? Thanks in advance!
Just sent!
Hello, could I please get the original recipe as well?
Just emailed it to you!
Can’t wait to try this recipe tonight. My new favourite food is black beans.
I see everyone asking about the old recipe and now I’m curious. Could you also send it to me. Thank you!!
Hello. Could I please get the original recipe emailed?
Thank you so much.
Just emailed you! :)
This is the first chili recipe I tried in years, especially since I wanted to eat healthier and strugfle with eating veggies, especially uncooked ones. My favorite veggies being starchy like beans or potatoes, and non starchy being garlic, carrots, bell peppers, and onions but the four of them have to be cooked.
This recipe is so delicoous and healthy. I didn’t have all the ingredients, like cumin so i used sine leftover taco seasoning, chicken brith, and some chipotle sauce since I didnt have onions or diced tomatoes. Along with my only bell pepper.
It’s so tasty 😭 I’m definitely gonna be making this more often as a healthy choice so I can stop driving myself nuts about struggling with other veggies.
Hi! I’ve loved this recipe, is there any way I can also get the old recipe emailed?? Thank you!
Just sent!
Hey! Would I also be able to get the old recipe emailed to me? That was always my go-to quick chili recipe :)
Just sent!
would you email the old recipe to me too? I have made it about 50 times.
Just sent! :)
Hi, I would like the old recipe emailed to me please! I have been making this for years and appreciate it.
Just emailed it!
Could I also have the old recipe emailed to me?
Just sent it!