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A bowl full of hearty beef and bean chili for two people, topped with shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions. A spoon rests inside the bowl and another bowl and a linen rest nearby.

Small Batch Beef & Bean Chili for Two

Sara
A hearty, small batch homemade chili recipe for two people with ground beef, black beans, a tomato-based sauce, and so much flavor!
5 from 2 votes
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Chili Seasoning:

  • 2 1/2 tsp. Chili Powder
  • 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
  • 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt I use Diamond Crystal brand
  • 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper optional

For the Chili:

  • 2 tsp. Olive Oil
  • 1 cup chopped Yellow Onion
  • 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt
  • 8 oz. Ground Beef 80/20 or 85/15
  • 2 tbsp. Homemade Chili Seasoning (above recipe or storebought)
  • 1 tbsp. Tomato Paste
  • 3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 15 oz. Crushed Tomatoes
  • 15 oz. Black Beans drained, not rinsed
  • 1 cup Beef Broth
  • 1 tbsp. Light Brown Sugar
  • 10 Dark Chocolate Chips
  • freshly cracked Black Pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Make the Chili Seasoning. In a small bowl, stir the Chili Seasoning Ingredients (2 1/2 tsp. Chili Powder, 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika, 1 tsp. Ground Cumin, 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt, 1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder, 1/2 tsp. Onion Powder, 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper [optional]) together. Set aside.
  • Cook the Onions. In a large saucepan or medium pot over medium heat, add 2 tsp. Olive Oil. Once the oil is hot, stir in 1 cup chopped Yellow Onion with 1/2 tsp. Kosher Salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
    Chopped onions cooking in the bottom of a ceramic pot.
  • Cook the Ground Beef. Add 8 oz. Ground Beef to the pot and cook, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks, until it starts to brown (about 3 minutes). Stir in the 2 tbsp. Homemade Chili Seasoning (or storebought) and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the ground beef is cooked.
    Ground beef and onions cooking in a ceramic pot and being stirred with a wooden spatula.
  • Stir in Tomato Paste and Garlic. Clear a small section at the bottom of the pot and add 1 tbsp. Tomato Paste. Cook for 1-2 minutes, until slightly darker in color. Stir in 3 cloves Garlic, mixing it into the tomato paste and ground beef.
    Cooked ground beef and onions in the bottom of a ceramic pot with minced garlic and tomato paste added to it.
  • Add Remaining Ingredients. Stir in 15 oz. Crushed Tomatoes, 15 oz. Black Beans, 1 cup Beef Broth, 1 tbsp. Light Brown Sugar, and about 10 Dark Chocolate Chips. Stir well and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let the chili simmer for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Carefully taste and season with more salt and/or black pepper while it simmers.
    A glass measuring cup of beef broth being poured into a pot of black beans and crushed tomatoes.
  • Serve. Divide the chili between two bowls, add your favorite toppings, and serve. Enjoy!
    A ladle full of hearty beef and bean chili hovering above a pot of the cooked chili.

Notes

Optional Toppings: Sour Cream, Cheddar Cheese, Green Onions, Red Onions, crushed Ritz Crackers, Corn Chips, or Tortilla Chips, Avocado

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 27gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 1665mgPotassium: 1890mgFiber: 16gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 3349IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 122mgIron: 9mg
Keyword chili for 2, chili for two, homemade chili, small batch chili
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