Red Chili Recipe with Ground Beef

This Red Chili Recipe with Ground Beef is a thick, classic red bean chili with just a touch of red wine for an elegant depth of flavor! A balanced blend of chili powders and paprika add unforgettable layers of warmth and complexity.

Hearty browned beef, rich kidney beans, caramelized onions, and just a dash of smoky spice meet a splash of pinot noir–and you’re on another chili level! Set a pot of chili to simmer, step away for a couple hours, and come back to a comforting meal. Honestly, make a double batch, because it’ll be gone in no time!

Go on, dollop on some sour cream and put a hunk of sweet southern cornbread right inside. I mix it all up into one hot, delicious mess. Plus, if you make some healthy beef stroganoff the next night, it cancels out the calories? Girl math at its best.

Professional tips for the best chili recipe:

• Cook the spices. Adding the spices after sautéing the onion but before the liquid ingredients, will bloom the spices in the oil and unlock their flavors. This will make a more flavorful chili without emptying your spice cabinet. .
• Include the kidney bean juice. Adding the juices from the beans actually contributes to the overall texture and thickness of this chili. 
• Be patient. Letting the chili cook low and slow is worth the wait. By letting the chili simmer for a longer period, the flavors will blend and develop in a way they would not over high heat.

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Ingredients

• Ground beef: I like to use 96% lean ground beef for this recipe. It has all of the savory flavor of ground chuck with a lower fat content. The resulting chili will still be flavorful but healthier. Get a family pack and make my Taco Bake Recipe for another easy meal this week!
• Onions: I recommend using yellow onions or sweet onions for this recipe. Both provide a mild but savory flavor.
• Pinot Noir: I suggest using a wine that you would enjoy drinking. This will add the best flavor to your dish. If you don’t like Pinot Noir or can’t find it locally, feel free to use another red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or chianti I use this same technique in my steak chili recipe, but if you want to omit it, try the best turkey chili recipe!
• Kidney Beans: Use an undrained can of kidney beans for this recipe. If you’d like, you can also try using black beans or pinto beans in this recipe. I like the sweetness that kidney beans add to the dish. Save your black beans for some Ground Chicken Tacos!
• Tomatoes: I recommend using roasted diced tomatoes and their juice. They add more smoky flavor while imparting sweetness. This is a useful ingredient to have around the house. For example, you can also use these in the tomato sauce for a Baked Chicken Marinara! Or add an avocado and some tortilla chips for a little pre-chili appetizer. 
• Chili Powder: You will use both ancho and regular chili powder in this recipe to build a complex, rounded flavor. If you can’t find ancho chili powder, add chipotle chili powder or Mexican chili powder.
• Paprika: Paprika adds a smoky flavor and a beautiful red color to the overall dish. You can use either sweet, smoked, or spicy paprika depending on your preference.
• Canola Oil
• Kosher Salt & Pepper

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Slow cooker chili and other variations:

• Slow Cooker: To make slow cooker red chili, follow the first 3 steps in the recipe. Then add all of the ingredients to the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
• Instant Pot: To make Instant Pot chili, set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Sweat the onions and brown the ground beef. Deglaze with the wine. Then, add all of the remaining ingredients and cook for about 20 minutes on high pressure. Allow to naturally release.
• Different Meat: Instead of using ground beef, you can use chicken or ground turkey in this recipe. If ground poultry is your thing, be sure to check out my Turkey Burger Recipe or Ground Chicken Burgers next!
• Different Spices: Try using different spices in this red chili to see what you like best. Some of my favorites are oregano, garlic powder, cilantro, cayenne pepper or ground cumin for an extra bit of heat, and bay leaves for a more savory, earthy flavor.

How to Make this Chili Recipe with Ground Beef

Further details and measurements can be found in the recipe card below!

Step 1: Dice the onions while you heat a Dutch oven or large stock pot over medium heat. Add canola oil and swirl to coat. Cook onions until they begin to release their juices. Stir frequently, cooking until onions are translucent and a little caramelized. 

Step 2: Add the chili powder, ancho chili powder, and paprika, and stir to coat with oil. Cook over low heat until fragrant. You don’t want to burn them, just amplify the flavor! It will only take a minute or two.

Step 3: Add the ground beef, break into crumbles, and brown until all the beef has been cooked. If needed, drain excess fat.

Step 4: Pour the wine into the pot and stir to get up all the delicious browned bits on the bottom; cook down until the wine is barely visible. 

Step 5: Add the remaining ingredients. Cook for 1 hour over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Step 6: Taste for salt and pepper. Continue simmering over low heat, the longer the better. I typically cook mine in a Dutch oven for at least 4 hours. I like to taste every hour and adjust the salt and spices as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Go

I hope you enjoyed this professional chef tested recipe. Check out our other delicious, chef-developed classic chili recipes, or make a Dutch Oven Pot Roast next!