Best Classic Dutch Oven Chili

Today we’re going to teach you how to make our families favorite Best Classic Dutch Oven Chili Recipe

Our family’s Classic Midwest Dutch Oven Chili Recipe stands out as the best thanks to its delicious combination of flavorful seasoned hamburger meat, rich and tangy tomatoes, and hearty beans.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

With a straightforward and easy-to-follow recipe, anyone can whip up this comforting dish, making it a go-to choice for both novice and experienced cooks.

Even your kids will love it.

The Essence of a Midwest Dutch Oven Chili

Midwest chili is a beloved classic, renowned for its rich and robust flavors that warm the soul on chilly days.

A delightful amalgamation of ground beef, tomatoes, beans, and a medley of spices, this dish has found its way into the hearts and homes of many across the Midwest.

Whether you’re preparing it for family gatherings, tailgating parties, or a simple weeknight dinner, Midwest chili never fails to impress.

How to fully unlock flavor in food?

Sautéing Onions:

When it comes to making the perfect Midwest dutch oven chili, sautéing onions in oil is a step that should never be overlooked.

This process involves cooking chopped onions in a small amount of oil over medium heat until they become translucent and fragrant.

While it may seem like a minor step, the impact it has on the overall flavor of the chili is remarkable.

Enhancing Flavor: Sautéing onions allows the natural sugars within the onions to caramelize, creating a deep and sweet flavor profile.

This transformation brings out the onions’ inherent sweetness, which beautifully complements the richness of the chili’s other ingredients.

The result is a more complex and satisfying taste that sets Midwest chili apart from other variations.

Aromatic Infusion: As the onions cook in the oil, they release aromatic compounds that infuse the entire dish.

These aromas not only make your kitchen smell amazing but also contribute to the overall sensory experience of enjoying the chili.

The enticing scent that fills the air will undoubtedly whet your appetite and leave everyone eagerly awaiting the first bite.

Texture and Appearance: Sautéing onions also helps to achieve a desirable texture in the chili.

Softened and caramelized onions add a pleasant mouthfeel and contribute to the overall comfort and satisfaction of the dish.

Additionally, the golden-brown hue of the sautéed onions adds an appetizing visual appeal to the chili, making it all the more enticing.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 medium sized white onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 15oz black beans
• 1 15oz chili beans
• 1 15oz diced tomatoes
• 1 15oz tomato sauce
• 1 can tomato paste

Popular Recipes

Creamy Baked Potato Soup

Skillet Green Beans

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Baked Spaghetti Casserole

Seasonings

• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• 3 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder

Garnish Options

• sour cream
• cheddar cheese
• green onions

INSTRUCTIONS 

Prep Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic.

Drain and rinse the kidney and black beans. Measure out the chili powder, cumin, and ground mustard.

Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and start to brown.

Push the sautéed onions to one side of the Dutch oven, add the ground beef to the other side. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook until browned. Combine the beef with the sautéed onions.

Add minced garlic to the beef and onion mixture, sauté for an additional minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the meat and onions with the spices.

Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.

Add the drained and rinsed chili and black beans.

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the Dutch oven and let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.

Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or spices according to your preferences.

The Perfect Start to a Perfect Dish

In conclusion, sautéing onions in oil is a critical step in the process of making Midwest chili.

By unlocking the full potential of the onions’ flavor, aroma, and texture, this technique elevates the dish to new heights.

So, the next time you whip up a batch of our Best Classic Midwest Dutch Oven Chili, remember to give the onions the attention they deserve by sautéing them first.

Your taste buds will thank you!

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Dutch Oven Chili Recipe

Dutch oven chili, a soul-warming concoction of perfectly seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions, and a symphony of beans, slow-simmered to savory perfection, promises not just a meal but a comforting embrace on cold evenings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course, Soup

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Servings 5

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb hamburger
• 1 medium sized white onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 15oz black beans
• 1 15oz chili beans
• 1 15oz diced tomatoes
• 1 15oz tomato sauce
• 1 can tomato paste

Seasonings

• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp ground mustard
• 3 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder

Garnish Options

• sour cream
• cheddar cheese
• green onions

Instructions

 

• Prep Your Ingredients: Finely chop the onion. Mince the garlic. Drain and rinse the kidney and black beans. Measure out the chili powder, cumin, and ground mustard.
• Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and start to brown.
• Push the sautéed onions to one side of the Dutch oven, add the ground beef to the other side. Break up the beef with a spatula and cook until browned. Combine the beef with the sautéed onions.
• Add minced garlic to the beef and onion mixture, sauté for an additional minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, ground mustard, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the meat and onions with the spices.
• Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice), tomato sauce, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
• Add the drained and rinsed chili and black beans.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the Dutch oven and let the chili simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Stir occasionally.
• Taste the chili and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or spices according to your preference.
• Once the chili has reached your desired consistency and flavor, ladle it into bowls. Serve hot, optionally garnished with shredded cheese, sour cream, or chopped green onions.

Tried this recipe?Mention @our.family.cooks or tag #ourfamilycooks!

Tried this recipe for yourself? Leave a comment and photos below!

Follow on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• YouTube

Nutrition Disclaimer: Our Family Cooks is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.