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A steaming bowl of hearty chili soup, garnished with shredded cheese and fresh green onions, sits on a rustic wooden table.

Hearty Classic Chili Soup

A robust and flavorful chili soup packed with tender ground beef, a medley of beans, and a rich, smoky tomato base. Perfect for a comforting meal on a chilly day, it's a family-favorite one-pot wonder.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

For the Chili Soup
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1.5 lbs ground beef 80/20 lean, chuck
  • 1 large yellow onion chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
  • 1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 6 oz can tomato paste
  • 4 cups beef broth low sodium
  • 1 (15 oz) can kidney beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper or to taste
Optional Toppings
  • Shredded cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • Chopped fresh cilantro or green onions

Equipment

  • Large Dutch Oven or Soup Pot
  • Cutting Board
  • Chef's Knife
  • Can Opener
  • Ladle

Method
 

Prepare the Base
  1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 7-9 minutes. Drain excess fat from the pot.
  2. Add chopped onion and green bell pepper to the pot. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables have softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
Build the Flavor
  1. Stir in the chili powder, ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper (if using). Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, to toast the spices and release their aromas.
  2. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, rinsed kidney beans, and pinto beans to the pot. Stir everything together until well combined.
Simmer and Serve
  1. Bring the chili soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen.
  2. Taste the chili and season with salt and black pepper as needed. Add more chili powder or cayenne if you prefer more heat.
  3. Ladle the hearty chili soup into bowls. Serve hot with your favorite toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt, and chopped fresh cilantro or green onions.

Notes

This chili soup tastes even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It also freezes well for up to 3 months; simply thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop.