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Black Bean Chili

This Black Bean Chili is hearty, beefy, and rich with tomatoes, black beans, and spices. Top it with sour cream and fresh cilantro. Serve fresh lime wedges to squeeze over.

A bowl of black bean chili with sour cream, cilantro, and a lime wedge on top.

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Well y’all, Fall is definitely starting to show her face around here. You know, here in the South, Fall can be a real tease. She shows up with her nice cool temperatures for a day or two and then…poof!…she’s gone again. She brings you a nice crisp morning one day and then the next it’s so hot and muggy you wonder if it isn’t really July. Yep, Fall is a real flirt.

Just about the only constant thing about Fall in the South is football. And you had better believe we take it seriously.

Whether high school or college, allegiances are strong. Mighty strong. And along with football comes tailgating.

Depending on the game’s outcome, the tailgating may just be the best part of the day. Fans gathering together to share food, support their team, and talk trash about the opponent. It’s all part of the football experience.

Add This One to Your Tailgate Lineup

This is a great recipe to take tailgating this weekend. I’ve posted a few chili recipes here in the past – a Vegetable Chili, a White Bean Turkey Chili, and a Quick and Easy Chili (and there are even more linked at the bottom of this post) that are all great recipes, but I think this Black Bean Chili may be my favorite. It’s rich from the tomatoes and spices and has the heartiness of beef and black beans. Great combination.

How to Make Black Bean Chili

Photo collage showing ingredients for the meat mixture in a pot both raw and cooked.

You’ll start by putting a large pot or skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the olive oil followed by the onions, bell pepper, garlic, and ground beef. Cook the mixture, stirring often, until the beef is browned. Drain it and return it to the pan.

Spices used in the recipe portioned out on a small plate.

I always like to prep and measure my ingredients so that they’re ready before I start a recipe. Because I’m often cooking with one hand and photographing with the other, it helps me avoid mistakes and stay focused on the recipe. Besides I just love seeing all those colorful spices ready to go into the pot. I think they’re lovely on their own.

Beans, tomatoes, and remaining ingredients being added to the pot of chili.

After you’ve returned the drained meat mixture to the pan, add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, spices, black beans and tomato paste. Stir well to combine. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until slightly thickened.

To serve, ladle the chili into bowls and top with sour cream and fresh cilantro. Pass lime wedges.

A bowl of black bean chili with sour cream, cilantro, and a lime wedge on top.

🧾 More Recipes You’ll Like

Lana Stuart.

Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

A bowl of black bean chili with sour cream, cilantro, and a lime wedge on top.

Black Bean Chili

This Black Bean Chili is rich with tomatoes, black beans, and spices. Top it with sour cream and fresh cilantro.
4.60 from 5 votes
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Course: Soups and Stews
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 400kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 1 medium green bell pepper diced
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound ground chuck
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth or stock
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 29 ounces canned diced tomatoes undrained (2 cans)
  • 6 ounces tomato paste
  • 30 ounces canned black beans drained and rinsed (2 cans)
  • Garnishes: sour cream chopped fresh cilantro and lime wedges

Instructions

  • Place a large saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the olive oil, onion, bell pepper, garlic and ground chuck.
  • Cook, stirring, until ground beef is browned.
  • Drain well and return mixture to the pan.
  • Add the broth and next 11 ingredients (broth through beans).
  • Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a simmer and cook 15-20 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir occasionally while simmering.
  • To serve, ladle chili into bowls. Top with sour cream and cilantro. Pass lime wedges.

Notes

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 | Calories 400kcal | Carbohydrates 28g | Protein 30g | Fat 20g | Saturated Fat 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat 11g | Trans Fat 1g | Cholesterol 70mg | Sodium 843mg | Fiber 9g | Sugar 8g

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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22 Comments

  1. Hi Lana
    Wondering what size can tomatoes you used as we have 10oz, 14oz, 19oz, and 28oz available where I am.
    Thank you

    1. Lana Stuart says:

      I use the standard 14.5 ounce cans, Joycelyn. Same for the beans.

  2. Made this for my boyfriend about a week ago. all the leftovers are already gone. needless to say he loved it, though it probably would have been better had I remembered the tomato paste, although I did subsitute one can of tomatoes for a can of fire roasted tomatoes to supplement some flavor

  3. Robyn | Add a Pinch says:

    This looks so good for lunch today! This cold snap we’re having makes me want soup, soup, and more soup!

  4. Wonderful chilli, full of flavor – love your instructions – I’m going to sign up to follow you!
    Mary

  5. Alison @ ingredients, Inc. says:

    Can’t wait to try this one!

  6. Cindi @ Frugal New England Kitchen says:

    Looks delicious, and I like how you measure your spices out ahead of time. Avoids leaving something out, which happens occasionally with distractions1

  7. oh yeah, that cool spell hit us too a couple of days ago, but you are right, we’ll be sweating under the hot sun in no time flat… now that chili is mighty fine for cool weather football watching, tailgating and partying …. would be great on gameday or anyday

  8. I agree – it is so much easier getting organized first – then the camera (or the puppies) can distract too much! Great chili…

  9. Barbara | Creative Culinary says:

    I should have eaten dinner huh? Now upstairs and to tired to do anything about it…maybe also should not be looking at this chili. Yum.

  10. Rivki Locker says:

    Here in NJ, fall lasts and lasts and lasts. This chili looks like the perfect fall dish.

  11. Your Chili looks de-licious! The leaves up here are turning – I’m betting that further north of us the are at peak this weekend. I love fall when the air is a little cooler and the sun is out bright…those are the best days!

    1. Our color won’t peak here until late October. And it’s always a glorious blaze when it happens.

  12. Tickled Red says:

    {giggle} I truly adore my husband but even more so during football season, cause’ he switches the channel to surfing. College football is good but I never grew up in a family where it was 24-7. Love your chili! I’ll have to make it for DS soon. Can I say go Tarheels here? ;-)

    1. Well, we’re die hard Georgia Bulldog fans here, but of course you can pull for your Tarheels :-)

  13. Mari @ Mari's Cakes says:

    Chili is one of my favorite plates. I usually use pinto beans or red kidney beans, but I am sure that with black beans it tastes just as great! I will try it next time.

    Have a great weekend.

    1. Chili is one of our favorites, too, Mari. And the black beans are just a nice change from the usual.

  14. claudia lamascolo says:

    Black bean can adorn my table every night of the week and this one would be#1 on the list of chili’s I just this and leftovers are the best of all on top of chips and loads of cheese!!!!!

    1. Great idea for the leftovers, Claudia.

  15. blueviolet says:

    It sounds really good! I don’t know why I’ve never thought to add black beans to my chili or cumin for that matter. Thanks for the recipe!

    1. You’re welcome. Hope you enjoy it!