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Hearty Pioneer Woman chili soup in a large Dutch oven with colorful toppings including shredded cheese, sour cream, and green onions

Best Pioneer Woman Chili: Hearty Chili Soup Recipe for Cold Days

A hearty, soul-warming chili soup inspired by The Pioneer Woman, made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a bold spice blend – the ultimate comfort food for any season.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 385
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cans 14.5 oz diced tomatoes with juices
  • 1 can 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 2 cups beef broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 cans 15 oz kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can 15 oz pinto beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2-3 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Optional garnishes: shredded cheddar cheese sour cream, chopped green onions, sliced avocado, tortilla chips

Method
 

  1. Prep all ingredients: dice onion, bell pepper, and mince garlic.
  2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Brown ground beef 5-7 minutes, breaking into small pieces. Drain excess fat.
  3. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic in same pot 3-5 minutes until onions are translucent.
  4. Return beef to pot. Add chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Stir and toast spices 1-2 minutes.
  5. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  6. Cover partially and simmer on low for 45 minutes.
  7. Add kidney and pinto beans. Simmer 15 minutes more.
  8. Taste and adjust seasoning. Chili should be smoky, savory, and slightly spicy.
  9. Serve hot with desired garnishes.

Notes

Don’t skip browning the meat for deep flavor. Add beans toward the end to keep texture intact. Chili tastes even better the next day as flavors develop.