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The Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 108 reviews

The Pioneer Woman Chili is a hearty and flavorful chili made with ground beef, beans, and a blend of Mexican-inspired spices. This versatile recipe offers multiple cooking methods including stovetop, crock pot, and Instant Pot, allowing you to customize cooking times and flavors. Thickened with masa harina for authenticity, it’s perfect served with traditional garnishes like shredded cheddar, sour cream, and tortilla chips.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. ground beef, 80% lean
  • 2 cloves garlic, diced
  • 8 oz. tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 cup masa harina, white or yellow
  • 15 oz. kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 15 oz. pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Additional for Instant Pot Version

  • 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes with juice

Garnishes (Optional)

  • Shredded Cheddar
  • Lime Wedges
  • Sour Cream
  • Tortilla Chips or Fritos
  • Diced Green Onions

Instructions

  1. Brown the Beef: In a large pot over medium heat (or Instant Pot on Sauté mode), cook and crumble the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess grease to keep the chili from being too oily.
  2. Add Garlic and Tomato Sauce: Add the diced garlic and tomato sauce to the beef and cook for about 1 minute, allowing the garlic to release its aroma and flavors to meld.
  3. Season the Chili: Stir in chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and cayenne pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all the spices evenly into the meat sauce mixture.
  4. Simmer the Chili (Stovetop Method): Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the chili simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. If it appears dry during cooking, stir in 1/2 cup of water to maintain moisture.
  5. Prepare Masa Mixture: In a small bowl, combine masa harina with 1/2 cup water, stirring until smooth. This mixture will thicken the chili and add authentic flavor.
  6. Add Masa Mixture and Beans (Stovetop): Stir the masa mixture into the chili gradually. Adjust by adding more masa or water if needed to reach your preferred thickness. Then add drained and rinsed kidney and pinto beans. Simmer together for an additional 10 minutes.
  7. Crock Pot Method: After browning beef and adding garlic, tomato sauce, and seasoning, transfer everything to the crock pot. Stir in the masa mixture and beans. Cook on low for 4 hours or longer. Add extra masa or water if needed during cooking for desired consistency.
  8. Instant Pot Method: Use diced tomatoes with juices along with tomato sauce. After sautéing beef and garlic, add seasonings, masa mixture, diced tomatoes with juice, and beans. Close the lid and set the pressure valve to sealed. Cook on Chili/Beans setting for 20 minutes. Use quick release or natural release. Adjust thickness with additional masa or water if desired.
  9. Serve: Ladle chili into bowls and garnish with shredded cheddar, sour cream, diced green onions, lime wedges, and tortilla chips or Fritos as preferred. Enjoy with a side of cornbread for a classic meal.

Notes

  • You can adjust the heat level by increasing or decreasing the cayenne pepper or chili powder.
  • If the chili is too thick, add water gradually to reach your desired consistency.
  • Masa harina is optional but recommended for authentic texture and flavor thickening.
  • This recipe works well for meal prep; it tends to taste even better the next day as flavors meld.
  • Use lean ground beef to avoid excess grease and a healthier option.
  • For a vegetarian version, substitute beans for the beef and increase spices accordingly.

Keywords: chili, ground beef chili, easy chili recipe, Pioneer Woman chili, stovetop chili, crock pot chili, instant pot chili, hearty chili

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