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The Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe

The Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 6 reviews

The Pioneer Woman Chili is a hearty, flavorful chili recipe featuring ground beef, kidney and pinto beans, and a rich blend of spices. Perfect for cozy dinners, this chili can be made on the stovetop, in a crock pot, or an Instant Pot, offering flexible cooking options. Garnish with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and tortilla chips for a classic chili experience.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Base

  • 2 lbs. ground beef, 80% lean
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce

Spices

  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Thickening Agent

  • 1/4 cup masa harina (white or yellow)
  • 1/2 cup water (for mixing with masa harina)

Beans and Vegetables

  • 15 oz. kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz. pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (Instant Pot version only, with juice)

Garnishes (Optional)

  • Shredded Cheddar
  • Lime wedges
  • Sour cream
  • Tortilla chips or Fritos
  • Diced green onions

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot over medium heat, cook and crumble 2 lbs. of 80% lean ground beef until fully browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the chili from being too greasy.
  2. Sauté Garlic and Tomato Sauce: Add 2 cloves of diced garlic to the pot along with 8 oz. of tomato sauce. Cook for 1 minute to release flavors.
  3. Add Spices: Stir in 2 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon ground oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Mix well to distribute the spices evenly. Lower the heat to low and cover the pot. Let the mixture simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If the chili seems dry after simmering, add 1/2 cup of water.
  4. Prepare Masa Harina Mixture: In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup masa harina with 1/2 cup water, stirring until smooth. Add this mixture to the chili. Adjust by adding more masa or water until your desired chili thickness is reached.
  5. Add Beans and Simmer: Add the drained and rinsed 15 oz. kidney beans and 15 oz. pinto beans to the chili. Continue to simmer for an additional 10 minutes to let flavors meld.
  6. Serve and Garnish: Serve the chili hot with optional garnishes such as shredded cheddar, lime wedges, sour cream, tortilla chips or Fritos, and diced green onions.
  7. Crock Pot Alternative: Brown ground beef and drain grease in a stove-top safe crock pot (or skillet). Add garlic and tomato sauce, cook 1 minute, then stir in spices. Transfer to the crock pot. Mix masa harina with water and stir in. Add beans and stir gently. Cook on low for 4 hours or all day. Adjust masa or water for thickness as needed.
  8. Instant Pot Method: Use 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes with juice instead of tomato sauce. Set Instant Pot to Sauté, brown beef, and drain grease. Add garlic and tomato sauce, cook 1 minute. Add spices. Mix masa harina with water and add along with diced tomatoes and beans. Stir gently. Seal the lid and cook on Chili/Beans setting for 20 minutes. Use quick or natural release. Adjust thickness with additional masa or water. Serve with garnishes.

Notes

  • If the chili thickens too much after cooking, add water gradually until desired consistency is reached.
  • Using 80% lean ground beef provides a good balance of flavor and fat without excess grease.
  • Masa harina serves as a traditional thickening agent adding a subtle corn flavor; it can be adjusted for consistency.
  • The Instant Pot version includes diced tomatoes for added texture and flavor.
  • Simmering the chili for at least an hour allows the flavors to meld and develop deeply.
  • Feel free to customize garnishes based on preference for an enhanced chili experience.
  • Leftover chili stores well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and freezes perfectly for longer storage.

Nutrition

Keywords: Pioneer Woman chili, easy chili recipe, beef chili, slow cooker chili, instant pot chili, hearty chili, masa harina chili

Find it online: https://tastybynova.com/the-pioneer-woman-chili-recipe/