Why you’re going to love this dutch oven chili

  • Rich and cozy chili is a must for Fall and Winter!
  • The perfect family friendly recipe that you can customize with everyone’s favorite toppings and some of our gluten free and grain free cornbread.
  • It’s excellent for meal prep and is also freezer friendly.
  • The combo of bacon and ground beef with the poblano peppers and seasoning is perfectly savory and smoky with a hit of sweet.

Related ->> Check out this Classic, Old Fashioned Dutch Oven Beef Stew!

How to make dutch oven chili (step-by-step)

Diced bacon cooking in a dutch oven.
Dice and cook bacon 5-6 minutes until browned.
Diced onion, poblano pepper and garlic on a cutting board.
While the bacon is cooking, prep the garlic, onion and peppers.
Ground beef, diced onion, pablano peppers and minced garlic added to dutch oven to cook.
Add in garlic, onion, peppers and ground beef. Break up and cook 7-8 minutes until browned.
Chili seasoning mixed up in a ramekin with a teaspoon.
While the beef is cooking, make the chili seasoning.
A hand pouring chili seasoning to the ingredients cooking in a dutch oven.
Once the beef is browned, add in the chili seasoning and stir.
Pouring broth into dutch oven.
Add in the canned tomatoes, pinto beans, kidney beans and beef broth.
Stirring all of the chili ingredients together in a dutch oven before covering to simmer on the stove.
Give everything a stir.
A hand putting the cover on the dutch oven with a lid to simmer the chili on the stove.
Bring the chili to a quick boil. Turn down heat and simmer covered for 2 hours.

Ingredient notes

  • Ground beef – you can easily use another meat if you prefer, like ground turkey, chicken or pork.
  • Beans – kidney and pinto beans are pretty standard chili beans, but you could also use black beans or really whatever your favorite beans are. Lentils would be good, too!
  • Poblano peppers – they’re great because they contribute to the smoky flavor, but you could switch things up with spicy peppers for more heat or bell peppers if that’s what you have on hand.

We hope you love this recipe as much as we do!

Don’t forget to leave a quick star rating and review below, we read every comment and truly appreciate your feedback. Also, be sure to browse the rest of our easy, delicious recipes to find some other favorites too!

Dutch oven full of chili with a serving spoon dug into the pot.
5 from 3 ratings
Get the Recipe:

Smoky Dutch Oven Chili with Ground Beef

This stovetop dutch oven chili is comfort food to the max. Made with ground beef, bacon, kidney and pinto beans, poblano peppers and a smoky seasoning, it's sure to keep you cozy.

Ingredients

  • 6 pieces bacon, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 poblano peppers, stem and seeds removed and diced, (can sub one large bell pepper)
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 28 oz canned diced (or crushed) tomatoes
  • 1 15 oz can pinto beans
  • 1 15 oz kidney beans
  • 1 cup beef broth

For the chili seasoning:

  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar, (omit for Whole30)
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp chipotle powder, (spicy, optional)
  • 1/2 tsp ground pepper

For serving/topping (optional):

  • shredded cheese
  • sour cream
  • diced onions

Equipment

  • Dutch oven

Instructions
 

  • Dice the bacon. Heat a 5 or 6-quart dutch oven over medium heat and add the bacon to cook. Cook stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes or until the bacon is browned.
  • While the bacon is cooking, prep the garlic, onion, and peppers as noted.
  • When the bacon is browned, add in the garlic, onion, peppers and ground beef. Break the beef into small chunks and cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned, about 7-8 minutes.
  • While the beef is cooking, make the chili seasoning by combining the seasoning in a small bowl and mixing. Gather the remaining ingredients.
  • Once the beef is browned, add in the chili seasoning and stir to incorporate.
  • Then, add in the canned tomatoes, pinto beans, kidney beans, and beef broth. Stir to mix.
  • Turn the heat up and bring the chili to a quick boil. Then, turn the heat down to low to simmer. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Ladle into bowls and add any optional toppings as desired. Enjoy.

Last Step:

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Smoky Dutch Oven Chili with Ground BeefSmoky Dutch Oven Chili with Ground Beef