Black Bean Chili Recipe

by jessyratfink

14K29823

Intro: Black Bean Chili Recipe

Black bean chili is what I make when I don't have all the ingredients for my normal chili recipes on hand. Considering we just moved and the kitchen isn't fully stocked, I thought I'd document this chili recipe for you guys! It's very fast to make and tastes amazing for the little amount of time you have to spend on it. :)

This black bean chili includes bacon and Worcestershire sauce to up the flavor in no time! Those ingredients are not something I typically use in long simmering chili recipes, but they are an amazing addition to any chili recipe you want to eat sooner rather than later.

I found this black bean chili on Add A Pinch a while back and have been making it ever since. I did modify it slightly, but the base recipe is solid as all get out if you like mild chili - we just like ours much spicier at my house! :D

STEP 1: Ingredients

  • 3 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 14.5 oz can black beans
  • 14.5 oz can crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon+ habanero or chipotle chili powder (if you like it spicy!)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano
  • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • Worcestershire sauce to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

If you enjoy a stronger tomato flavor in your chili, I'd recommend adding a couple tablespoons of tomato paste to the mix as well!

STEP 2: Cook the Bacon and Drain Most of the Fat

Cook the bacon over medium-high heat, stirring often, until it's starting to get nice and crispy. At that point, take it off the heat and drain most of the fat. I left a couple tablespoons in the pan to help with cooking the onions and ground beef.

To pour the bacon fat off, I lay a small strainer over a bowl and pour it through. You'll catch any big chunks of bacon this way so you can store the bacon fat in the fridge. Bacon fat is amazing to cook with so I highly recommend storing it. I cook my burgers in it, as well as make pie crusts with it. :)

STEP 3: Add in the Onions and Beef

Add the onions and beef into the pan and begin to break up the ground beef. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the onions are translucent and the beef is mostly browned.

STEP 4: Add the Seasonings and Garlic

Now you'll add in the seasonings and garlic. Stir everything around for a few minutes until it's nice and fragrant.

STEP 5: Add the Tomatoes and Beans

Pour in the tomatoes and beans and any liquid that comes with them. I normally rinse the tomato can with a little water (no more than 1/4 cup) and add that in as well. :)

Stir everything together.

STEP 6: Add the Worcestershire Sauce and Simmer

Add a few good shakes of the Worcestershire sauce and stir.

Turn the heat down to low and simmer for 15 minutes with the lid on.

After 15 minutes, give it a good stir and taste it. At this point you can add some salt, more chili powder, or whatever else you think it needs.

Stir one last time and let simmer for another 15 minutes with the lid off. After this round of simmering, you should be good to go, but you can let it go a little longer if you want it to be thicker.

And there you go! Enjoy. :D

20 Comments

nwonharp 8 years ago

Looks good !

I like black beans ( or most any beans ) I came up with a recipe ( with a little help , of course from other cooks ) for a black bean dip for corn tortilla chips . everyone loves it . It is really pretty easy . the ingredients are :

canned black beans

canned black olives

pickled jalapeno peppers

fresh cilantro

garlic

Just throw all of the ingredients into a food processor / blender , and voile !

You should experiment with the quantities of each ingredient to suit your own taste .

Other ingredients could be added :

tomatoes , or tomato paste

green chilis

Or any other vegetable that you like . Be careful not to add too much liquid , or it will be too runny , and don't add extra salt , there is enough salt in the other ingredients .

Just an Idea !

Cheers , take care and have a good day !! ....73

eyeguy6 8 years ago

I live in Texas. We don't cook beans in our chili, tho we do add them later sometimes. Saying that, I think I'll try this recipe. It looks tasty. I will make one minor change. I don't like black beans, so I'll use pintos. I also may use ground pork and add a jalapeno or 6. ;-)

patrickb14 8 years ago

nice recipe mine is similar. i am a fan of stew meat in my chili:) pork,beef and lamb i also use pinto and black beans fresh "soaked and al dente" also replace bean water with beer :{]

luiseduardo586 8 years ago

Thank you very much madam. Tried and really liked it, I was looking for this flavor for a little time.

thegrendel 8 years ago

Looks appetizing. I'll have to try making a vegetarian version of this, using TVP and soy "bacon."

jessyratfink 8 years ago

I found out a couple days ago that it works just as well with two 14.5 oz cans of pinto or kidney beans in the place of the ground beef - I bet the soy bacon and beans would work well together, too! :D

L41L4K 8 years ago

Oh cool I'm glad I inspired u a little!
If u fry your chorizo first then put it to one side for adding again later u have all the lovely oil left in the pan to cook your onions etc.It really does add another level to the chili :)

sabu.dawdy 8 years ago

omg yummmm. i love beans. will try it your way next time. and welcome back on instructables. I didnt noticed your project for a long time.

jessyratfink 8 years ago

Thank you! We just moved to Colorado, so I had to take a little break for that. But I'm back full time now. :D

L41L4K 8 years ago

Look very nice I'm making chili for tea now!!!
I like to add bacon and chorizo to my chili and with my left overs I use it on homemade pizza! Yum yum...thanks :)

jessyratfink 8 years ago

Chorizo is something else I've never put in chili, but I think I may need to now that you've mentioned it. :D

Sunglowart 8 years ago

I hate you!!! This is so tempting, i am actually drooling..... Cannot wait till monday to gather stuff to make it. Lovely work. Thanks for the fabulous work

Sheldy123 8 years ago

One question, can you use red beans instead?

jessyratfink 8 years ago

Yup! It'll taste just as awesome. :D