Name: Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil; 1 small Onion (Diced); 2 cloves Minced Garlic; 1 cup Red Bell Pepper (Diced); 1 pound Ground Beef; 1 pound Chorizo; 4 teaspoon Chili Powder; 2 teaspoon Chipotle Chili Powder (Optional); 2 teaspoon Cumin; 2 teaspoon Onion Powder; 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1 teaspoon Salt; 1 teaspoon Black Pepper; 2 15 oz Diced Tomatoes; 2 Tablespoon Tomato Paste; 2 15 ounce Tomato Sauce; 2 4 ounce Green Chiles; 4 cup Diced Sweet Potato; 1 15 oz Black Beans (Optional); 1 cup Water

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a bowl of pure comfort with serious depth of flavor, this Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe is exactly what you need. Packed with bold, savory spices, sweet bites of tender diced sweet potatoes, smoky chorizo, and hearty black beans, this is a chili that begs to be shared. Every spoonful offers a satisfying blend of textures and colors—the kind of robust, soul-warming meal you’ll want to revisit all year round, whether it’s a family weeknight dinner or game day with friends. Get ready to make leftovers your new obsession.

Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for this Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe is simple, but each component brings its own personality to the pot! From smoky chorizo to bright bell peppers, every item plays a starring role in building layers of flavor, color, and texture that absolutely shine in the finished dish.

Olive Oil: Use this to sauté your aromatics and give the chili a silky foundation.
Onion (diced): Adds natural sweetness and depth, melting beautifully into the base.
Minced Garlic: For that irreplaceable, mouthwatering aroma every great chili needs.
Red Bell Pepper (diced): Offers color and a subtle sweetness that balances the heat.
Ground Beef: The main protein adds heartiness and classic chili richness.
Chorizo: Smoky, spiced chorizo brings a bold punch that truly sets this chili apart.
Chili Powder: The foundation of heat, providing that signature chili warmth.
Chipotle Chili Powder (optional): For a smoky kick—you can add more or less to taste!
Cumin: Lends earthiness and a warm, nutty flavor to every bite.
Onion Powder: Doubles down on the savory notes with concentrated onion essence.
Garlic Powder: A secondary boost of garlicky flavor that ties everything together.
Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and makes the spices pop.
Black Pepper: Freshly cracked is best for a subtle heat and complexity.
Diced Tomatoes: Brings acidity, juiciness, and a touch of sweetness to the stew.
Tomato Paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and helps thicken the chili.
Tomato Sauce: Adds silky smooth texture and a tangy note.
Green Chiles: Infuses the dish with mild heat and gentle spice.
Diced Sweet Potato: Natural sweetness and a lovely, creamy bite that contrasts the spice.
Black Beans (optional): For extra fiber, protein, and a classic chili touch—totally up to you!
Water: Lets the flavors mingle and ensures perfect simmering consistency.

How to Make Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Begin by heating your olive oil in a large Dutch oven or trusty stock pot over medium heat. Add in the minced garlic, diced onion, and bright red bell pepper. Cook these together, stirring occasionally, until the veggies soften and the kitchen is full of that irresistible, savory aroma. This step is your ticket to a flavorful base!

Step 2: Brown the Meats

Toss in your ground beef and crumbled chorizo next. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks—you’re aiming for bite-sized, evenly browned morsels. Continue stirring until both meats are cooked through and any pink has disappeared. This is where the magic of the beef and chorizo starts to shine and deepen the flavor profile.

Step 3: Add Spices and Veggies

Once the meats are nicely browned, sprinkle in the chili powder, chipotle chili powder (if using), cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat everything in spices. Immediately after, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, tomato paste, green chiles, diced sweet potato, and black beans if you want that extra comfort factor. Stir together to combine the hearty mix of color and flavor.

Step 4: Simmer to Perfection

Pour in the water, give the pot a gentle stir, and turn the heat down to medium-low. Let your Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe simmer gently for about 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes yield to a fork and all the flavors are beautifully melded. The slow bubbling releases the aroma and thickens the chili as it cooks—pure anticipation!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Once your chili is perfectly simmered, it’s ready to serve right away! Ladle generous portions into bowls and top them with your favorite toppings. The hearty, spicy aroma and vibrant colors will have everyone diving in instantly.

How to Serve Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe

Garnishes

The right finishing touches make this chili extra special. Sprinkle fresh cilantro, sharp cheddar cheese, slices of creamy avocado, or a dollop of tangy sour cream to brighten each bowl. You could even toss on some thinly sliced green onions or crunchy tortilla strips for extra color and texture.

Side Dishes

A warm, crusty piece of cornbread is the ultimate partner for this chili, soaking up all those savory juices. If you’re feeling festive, serve up a side of tortilla chips or a simple green salad tossed with lime vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast.

Creative Ways to Present

Turn your Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe into a showstopper by serving it over baked potatoes, rice, or even inside bread bowls. For parties, set up a “chili bar” with a rainbow of toppings so everyone can build their dream bowl. Leftover chili also makes an unforgettable filling for tacos or nachos the next day!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers are a dream with this chili! Let your Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe cool completely before transferring to airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator, where flavors continue to develop and deepen for up to four days. It’s just as delicious, if not more so, the next day!

Freezing

This chili freezes wonderfully. Portion it into freezer-safe bags or containers, ensuring you leave a bit of space for expansion. Label with the date, and freeze for up to three months. Just imagine pulling out a stash on a busy night and having a homemade, bold-flavored dinner in no time.

Reheating

To reheat, simply pour your chili into a saucepan and warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings, just be sure to stop and stir every 30 seconds to keep things even. If the chili thickens up too much, a splash of water or broth will bring it right back to its perfect consistency.

FAQs

Can I make this chili in a slow cooker?

Absolutely! Just sauté your aromatics and brown the meats as in the original recipe, then transfer everything to your slow cooker, add the remaining ingredients, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The flavors meld beautifully while you go about your day.

What’s the best type of chorizo for this recipe?

Mexican-style chorizo (raw and crumbly) is ideal for blending into the chili, but you can use Spanish-style (cooked and firm) if that’s what you have—just slice it up before browning. Either way, the smoked spices will infuse every bite.

Can I make the Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe vegetarian?

For a vegetarian twist, simply skip the beef and chorizo and double up on the beans, or add crumbled tofu or your favorite plant-based meat substitute. The spices and veggies are enough to make this chili shine for vegetarians, too!

How spicy is this chili, and how can I adjust the heat?

Thanks to the chipotle chili powder and green chiles, this recipe has a warming but approachable level of spice. For more kick, add diced jalapeños or an extra pinch of chipotle powder. To make it milder, leave out the chipotle and opt for mild chorizo.

What’s the best way to thicken or thin the chili?

If you prefer a thicker chili, let it simmer longer with the lid off or mash some of the sweet potatoes and beans with the back of a spoon. For a soupier version, just add an extra splash of water or broth until you reach your desired consistency.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a meal that brings people together and becomes an instant favorite, this Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe is the one to try. The flavors are big, the steps are simple, and every bowl feels like a homemade hug. Gather your ingredients, invite some friends, and let this chili warm you from the inside out—you’ll be glad you did!

Beef and Chorizo Chili Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 15 reviews

Author: Ava
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Beef and Chorizo Chili recipe is a hearty and flavorful dish perfect for cozy nights in. Packed with a delicious blend of spices, ground beef, chorizo, and veggies, this chili is sure to become a family favorite.

Instructions

Saute Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or stock pot, add garlic, diced onion, and red pepper. Cook until the vegetables soften.
Cook Meat: Add ground beef and chorizo. Cook, breaking apart the meat until no longer pink.
Add Ingredients: Stir in spices, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, green chiles, sweet potato, and black beans (if using).
Simmer: Pour in water and simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender.
Serve: Enjoy the chili hot with your favorite toppings.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Mexican