The Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe: Your Guide to Delicious Comfort

Craving a bowl of warm, hearty chili? Look no further than the Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe! This recipe is perfect for both beginners and seasoned cooks alike, offering a simple yet incredibly flavorful chili experience. It’s the kind of dish that brings everyone to the table, combining rich, satisfying beef with zesty spices in a truly comforting beef chili recipe.

Ree Drummond, the Pioneer Woman herself, knows how to create meals that are both delicious and approachable. This chili recipe is no exception. It’s a classic for a reason – easy to make, endlessly customizable, and guaranteed to please. If you’re building your collection of must-try chili recipes, this Pioneer Woman staple deserves a top spot!

And if you’re eager to explore more chili variations after mastering this one, you might also enjoy exploring recipes like Texas chili, white chicken chili, boilermaker chili, and turkey chili. But let’s start with the star of the show: the Pioneer Woman’s famous chili.

Let’s get cooking!

Why We Love This Pioneer Woman Chili

Effortless One-Pot Meal: Everything comes together in a single pot, minimizing cleanup and maximizing flavor.
Deep, Homestyle Flavor: This chili tastes like it’s been simmering for hours, thanks to a blend of aromatic spices and quality ingredients.
Adaptable to Your Taste: Easily adjust the spice level and toppings to create your perfect bowl of chili.
Quick and Easy Cleanup: One pot means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal!

Bowl of Pioneer Woman chili topped with cheese, jalapeno, and lime wedges

Image: A close-up shot of Pioneer Woman’s simple chili, garnished with shredded cheese, sliced jalapenos, and fresh lime wedges, served in a white bowl, highlighting the chili’s rich texture and inviting toppings.

Key Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Chili

Ground Beef: For the best flavor and texture in this Pioneer Woman chili with beans, opt for 80/20 ground beef. The fat content is key to a rich, satisfying chili. While leaner beef can be used, be mindful of the potential difference in flavor and moisture.
Tomato Sauce: It’s crucial to use tomato sauce, not tomato puree, as the base. Tomato sauce provides the right consistency and flavor profile. Tomato puree is much more concentrated and will alter the final taste and texture of your chili.
Chili Powder Blend: Chili powder is not a single spice but a blend! It typically includes chili peppers, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder. This recipe also incorporates cumin, oregano, and cayenne separately, but don’t underestimate the importance of a good quality chili powder to enhance the overall spice profile.
Masa Harina: This corn flour is a secret ingredient! Masa harina not only adds a unique depth of flavor reminiscent of cornbread but also acts as a natural thickener for your chili, creating a perfect texture.
Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is essential for a robust flavor. Avoid pre-minced garlic in jars for the best results.
Salt: Simple table salt to enhance all the flavors.
Water: To create the perfect chili consistency.
Cumin and Oregano: These warm, earthy herbs are classic chili spices, adding depth and complexity.
Cayenne Pepper: A pinch of cayenne provides a gentle heat, adding a pleasant kick to the chili. Adjust the amount to your preferred spice level.
Kidney and Pinto Beans: Remember to rinse and drain your canned kidney and pinto beans before adding them to the chili. This removes excess sodium and any canning liquid.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Pioneer Woman Chili

Step-by-step instructions on how to prepare Pioneer Woman Chili

Image: A collage of step-by-step photos demonstrating the process of making Pioneer Woman chili, from browning the ground beef and adding seasonings to simmering the chili and incorporating masa harina and beans.

Brown the Ground Beef: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Add Garlic and Seasonings: Once the beef is browned, add the minced garlic and cook for about a minute until fragrant. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the tomato sauce, salt, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
Simmer for Rich Flavor: Add water, stir well to combine all ingredients, bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Prepare Masa Harina Slurry: In a small bowl, whisk together the masa harina and 1/2 cup of water until smooth. This slurry will thicken the chili and add flavor.
Thicken and Add Beans: Pour the masa harina mixture into the chili pot and stir to combine. Add the drained and rinsed kidney beans and pinto beans.
Final Simmer: Simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the chili to thicken and the beans to heat through. If the chili becomes too thick, add a little more water to reach your desired consistency. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Serve and Customize: Ladle the Pioneer Woman simple chili into bowls and let everyone customize their serving with their favorite toppings!

(Full recipe instructions are detailed in the recipe card below.)

Tips for Storing, Freezing, and Making Ahead

Refrigerator Storage: Leftover Pioneer Woman chili can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
Freezing Chili: Chili freezes exceptionally well! Ensure your chili is completely cooled before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Properly frozen chili will last for up to 6 months. Remember to cool chili thoroughly before freezing to prevent condensation and maintain food safety.
Make-Ahead Chili: This recipe is perfect for making ahead. You can prepare the chili up to step 2 (browning beef and adding seasonings) and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. When ready to serve, thaw (if frozen), reheat on the stovetop, and continue with step 3 to finish the recipe.
Food Safety First: For more detailed information on food safety guidelines, refer to trusted resources like food safety websites.

Recipe Variations to Explore

Bean-Free Chili: Want a chili without beans? No problem! Simply omit the kidney and pinto beans. To maintain the heartiness, you could consider adding an extra pound of ground beef or incorporating other vegetables like diced bell peppers or zucchini. There are many styles of chili, and some, like Texas chili, are traditionally made without beans.

Serving Suggestions for Pioneer Woman Chili

This comforting chili is fantastic on its own, but it’s even better with delicious sides and toppings! We highly recommend serving it with:

Classic Cornbread: Try Southern cornbread, sweet and easy Bisquick cornbread, or jalapeno cornbread for a spicy kick.
Cool Coleslaw: A side of creamy and crisp KFC coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the rich, warm chili.
Toppings Galore: Set up a topping bar with shredded cheddar cheese, diced red onions, sliced jalapenos, sour cream, cilantro, avocado, and lime wedges so everyone can customize their perfect bowl.

More Chili Recipes to Love

(Links to other chili recipes as in the original article could be added here for internal linking and user engagement, but are omitted as per the instructions.)

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Another bowl of Pioneer Woman chili, close-up and appetizing

Image: An enticing, slightly angled close-up of Pioneer Woman chili in a bowl, showcasing the texture and vibrant colors of the chili and toppings, inviting viewers to try the recipe.

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Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe

This hearty and flavorful one-pot Pioneer Woman Chili is the ultimate comfort food to warm you up on chilly evenings. A family-friendly favorite that’s sure to become a staple in your kitchen!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 6

Author: Kathleen

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef, 80/20 blend
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 1/2 cups water, plus more as needed
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/4 cup masa harina
1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Optional Toppings:

Shredded cheddar cheese
Diced red onion
Sliced jalapeno
Lime wedges

Instructions

In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Drain off excess fat.
Stir in tomato sauce, salt, water, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and cayenne powder until well combined. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour. Add more water if chili becomes too thick.
In a small bowl, whisk together masa harina and 1/2 cup water. Pour into chili. Add kidney beans and pinto beans and simmer for another 10 minutes. If chili is too thick, add more water. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Ladle into bowls and serve with desired toppings.

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