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Few foods are as cozy, comforting and soul-warming as a large bowl of chili. As one of the reigning queens of comfort food, it should be no surprise that Ree Drummond (aka The Pioneer Woman) has created one of the most popular chili recipes on the internet.
Her Simple, Perfect Chili Recipe has hundreds of rave reviews, so we felt we should put this recipe to the test!
Keep reading to see how this Pioneer Woman chili comes together step by step (and how it compares to our most popular chili recipes).
The Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup masa harina
- 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
Initial Thoughts
This Pioneer Woman chili recipe is without a doubt simple. It’s so simple, we have to admit that we’re a little skeptical of how it will turn out! When it comes to chili, we tend to love recipes that include several types of chilies, a complex blend of spices and one or more surprise ingredients like beer or cinnamon.
Editor’s Tip:If you’re not familiar with masa harina, it’s essentially a special corn flour. If you don’t have masa harina on hand, use finely ground cornmeal instead or omit it entirely. Just note that your chili will have a slightly thinner consistency.
Browning the Ground Beef
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This chili recipe starts out by browning the ground beef in a large pot with garlic. We opted to use a cast-iron Dutch oven, but a heavy-bottomed stock pot would also work well.
Once fully cooked, a blend of chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt is stirred into the beef along with tomato sauce.
Editor’s Tip: Since this chili has minimal spices and ingredients, it’s worth investing in a high-quality chili powder to get the most complex flavor. Here’s the best chili powder, according to our Test Kitchen experts.
This is where we felt this recipe took a left turn. Other top chili recipes typically add other additional ingredients at this stage, like beans, diced tomatoes or additional cooking liquids. Ree’s recipe, however, directs you to simply cover the pot and let the ground beef mixture simmer on low for one hour, adding 1/2 cup of water if the chili starts to look dry.
In our experience, the additional 1/2 cup of water wasn’t optional, it was necessary.After about 15 minutes of simmering, covered, the chili was starting to look VERY dry. However, adding a 1/2 cup of water rehydrated everything nicely for the remaining 45 minutes of cooking.
Making the Masa Harina
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Next, comes the masa harina, which is used to thicken the chili. We whisked it together in a measuring cup with 1/2 cup of water before stirring it into the chili.
From a thickening perspective, we didn’t feel that this chili needed to be thickened at this stage, because it was already fairly thick. However, we loved the subtle aroma that emerged after stirring in the masa harina.
To finish the chili, we stirred in two types of canned beans (pinto and kidney). Then, we let everything simmer for a final 10 minutes to help the flavors meld together.
The Final Verdict
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Wow! Forgive us, Ree, we should have never doubted you. I mean, you live on a ranch with cowboys who basically have chili in their blood. This Simple, Perfect Chili is, well, perfect!
Letting the chili simmer for one hour with minimal cooking liquid really allowed the simple blend of spices to become super concentrated and infuse the tomato sauce and beef with tons of flavor.
We were also surprised by the level of heat in this chili. We expected it to be mild since no peppers or hot chilies are included in the recipe. However, we’d place this chili somewhere in the medium range when it comes to spice.
Overall, we give this recipe a glowing 5-star review! If you like this, dont forget to try this Pioneer Womans corn on the cob recipe.
Editor’s Tip: The chili powder you use will have a big impact on the spiciness of your chili. Not all chili powders are created equal. If you’re using a brand of chili powder for the first time, we suggest scaling back the chili powder to start, taste and add more to get the chili to your preferred level of heat. Serve this dish along with Pioneer Womans taco soup.
Discover why this Pioneer Woman cheese ball recipe is perfect for every party.
Topping Ideas for Your Chili
Don’t forget the toppings! Ree suggests topping her Pioneer Woman chili with cheddar cheese, chopped onions, tortilla chips, and a squeeze of lime. Here are some of our other favorite chili toppings:
- Sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- Crumbled queso fresco
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced green onions
- Jalapeno peppers
- Ripe avocado
- Oyster crackers
- Homemade cornbread crumbles
Can’t get enough Ree Drummond? Head to Walmart and pick up one of her beautifully designed Pioneer Woman kitchen products.
Our Most Unique Chili Recipes
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Cincinnati ChiliThis warm and inviting dish is one of the most unique chili recipes out thereit's served atop a pile of spaghetti!
Spicy Fajita ChiliThis spicy chili is perfect with a dollop of sour cream. If you want to add even more of a kick, use a spicier V8!
Smoky Peanut Butter ChiliThis is a special kind of chili without any beans! The peanuts and peanut butter make this dish hearty and full of crunchy texture.
Slow-Cooker Quinoa ChiliIf you're wary about quinoa or aren't quite used to it yet, make this yummy quinoa chili! It's just as delicious and equally nutritious.
White Chili with a KickStore-bought rotisserie chicken makes this spicy chili easy, but you could also cook your own. It's even better with sour cream, shredded cheese and some hot sauce.
Meaty Mushroom ChiliIf you aren't a fan of beans, you can still make a delicious chili. The mushrooms add a wonderful earthy taste to the dish.
Sweet Potato Chili with TurkeyThis sweet potato chili is packed with flavor. Ground turkey is a lighter alternative to beef and sweet potato puree sneaks in some vitamin A.
Steak & Beer ChiliA bowl of steaming hot chili is always a pleasant way to warm up on a cold day. This one has a combination of chuck steak and brats in a spicy broth.
Tex-Mex ChiliNeed a hot meal to look forward to for dinner? Look no further than this
Tex-Mex recipe with meat, plenty of beans and tasty spices.
Chunky Vegetarian ChiliThis robust chili combines rice, kidney and pinto beans, and a variety of colorful vegetables for a hearty meatless meal.
Effortless Black Bean ChiliThis black bean chili is rich and hearty. It's perfect for chilly evenings and we guarantee your family members will agree.
White Turkey ChiliAre you over red chili? Here's proof that chili doesn't have to be red. This creamy and appealing-looking soup is just as good (if not better) than your classic chili recipe.
Thai-Style Chicken ChiliIf you're looking for an out-of-the-box dish to serve for weeknights, try this Asian-inspired chili.
Chili Macaroni and CheeseWhat could be tastier on a cold winter day than chili or mac and cheese? Put them together and you have a creamy and cheesy dish that will warm you up in no time.
Chili for a CrowdThis chili is perfect when you have to feed a large crowd, whether it's for a party or another special occasion. This chili will be eaten up in no time, we promise.
Butternut Squash ChiliWhile butternut squash isn't typically used in chili, we love the added nutrition. Add butternut squash to chili for a tasty, filling, energy-packed dish your whole family will love.
Game-Stopper ChiliThis hearty chili with sausage, beef, beans and barley is perfect for a big gathering. Veggie fans and meat lovers will adore this dish.
Black Bean Turkey ChiliThis easy chili recipe is full of flavor thanks to the black beans and chiles. Top with sour cream if it's too hot for you.
Chicken Butternut ChiliEveryone loves a good comforting, hearty, tomato-based chili with bold flavors! This recipe is chock full of veggies and flavor.
Healthy Turkey ChiliThis healthy turkey chili recipe is thicker and more robust than your typical healthy chili. This will surely be a family favorite, especially for the cooler months.
Creamy White ChiliThis chili is creamy, rich and hard to resist. It's the perfect meal for when you want something nutritious and filling.
Slow-Cooker Spicy Pork ChiliTender pork adds extra heartiness to this slow-cooked chili. You can use pork tenderloin, boneless pork roast or boneless pork chops.
Zippy Vegetarian ChiliHominy and garbanzo beans are fun additions to this zippy chili recipe that uses canned goods from your pantry. We recommend serving this particular chili with cornbread on the side. Delicious!
Contest-Winning Pepperoni Pizza ChiliPizza and chili togetherwhat could be better? This contest-winning chili will be loved by kids and adults alike. Prepare for your whole family to get seconds (or thirds).
Beer Brat ChiliThis beer brat chili is a fun and unique twist! The brats add a wonderful savory flavor to the dish.
White Chicken ChiliThis is the best chicken white chili we've ever tried! The green chiles add a wonderful trace of heat with every bite you take.
Spicy Touchdown ChiliWhat is a better pairing than football and chili? Watch your favorite team while enjoying this classic chili recipe that everyone will gobble up in no time.
Chicken Chili with Black BeansThanks to the full, hearty flavor, this chili recipe is sure to become a weeknight favorite. It's best served with warm cornbread.
Spicy White ChiliThe green chiles and other seasonings makes this chili spicy and vibrant. If you want even more heat, you can't go wrong with a few drops of your favorite hot sauce.
Pork Chile VerdeSay hello to your new favorite fall dish. In this chili, pork is slowly stewed with jalapenos, onion, green enchilada sauce and spices. It's wonderful on its own or stuffed in a warm tortilla with sour cream. Don't forget your hot sauce!
Spiced Apple ChiliNothing says fall like chili and apples. But have you ever had them together? The smoked paprika in this recipe gives this slightly sweet chili a smoky kick.
Chicken & Bean ChiliThis chicken and bean chili is a favorite for meat lovers. It's a must for potlucks any time of year.
Zippy Pork ChiliThis comforting chili recipe is great served over a bed of rice, but it's also fantastic scooped up in tortilla chips.
Sandys Slow-Cooked ChiliThis is a slow cooked chili that gets better and better over time. The slow cooker allows all the flavors to combine and blend together for a perfect bowl of chili.
Mexican Chicken ChiliCorn and black beans give this hearty chili a Mexican flair the whole family will love. If you want it be less spicy, use less cayenne pepper seasoning.
Slow-Cooked Chunky ChiliPork sausage, ground beef and plenty of beans make this chili a marvelous meal. Feel free to add more vegetables like corn and carrots.
Ground Beef ChiliThis beef chili may be even better than anything you could get at a restaurant. It's especially good with homemade cornbread.
Texican ChiliThis flavorful, meaty chili is a warm and comforting dish. It's also so easy to prepare in the slow cooker.
Easy White Chicken ChiliChicken and white beans add a new twist on the regular bowl of red. Its soothing comfort food that is perfect for a rainy day.
Bean & Beef Slow-Cooked ChiliThis chili is packed with everything from beans to beef to veggies. Feel free to add more toppings like pico de gallo, red onion, cilantro and cheese.
Hearty Taco ChiliRanch dressing mix and taco seasoning give extra special flavor to this dish. We won't blame you if you go back for seconds.
Meatball Chili with DumplingsThis is a fun take on a classic. This chili tastes like a hearty meatball stew with incredibly addictive dumplings.
Quinoa Turkey ChiliThis healthy turkey quinoa chili is not only tasty, it's packed with vitamins and protein that will keep you feeling satisfied and energized.
Firehouse ChiliThis firehouse chili is hearty and satisfying. If you need to feed a crowd, look no further than this recipe.
Spicy Pork Chili VerdeThis chili is brimming with poblano and sweet red peppers for a kick. We recommend serving it with sour cream, shredded cheese and tortilla chips.
Black Bean, Chorizo & Sweet Potato ChiliThis recipe takes chili to the next level by changing up the flavors and adding a surprisesweet potatoes. The addition of chorizo and black beans adds a southwestern twist.
Creamy Slow-Cooker White Chicken ChiliThis creamy slow-cooker white chicken chili is extra rich thanks to the Alfredo sauce.
Quick Pork ChiliIf you want to whip up a quick and easy chili, this is the recipe for you. The pork in here is also a nice switch up from traditional beef.
Santa Fe ChiliThis hearty chili is full of protein! With black beans, kidney beans and pinto beans, you will be entranced by all of the textures and flavors.
White Bean Chicken ChiliThis chicken chili is loaded with white beans and flavor. The jalapenos adds a nice kick without it being overly hot.
White Bean Turkey ChiliAttention turkey lovers! This chili is chock-full of ground turkey, white kidney beans and diced tomatoes. It's so full of flavor, you won't even miss having beef.
Green Chile Chicken ChiliShredded chicken and hot green chilis turn this chili into a masterpiece. Shredded cheese and sour cream will help combat the spice.
Kids Favorite ChiliKids will love this version of sweet chili. Plus, it's easy to make and adults will be running back for seconds too.
Chunky Chipotle Pork ChiliWhat more could you want on a cool evening for dinner? This chili is packed with a smoky flavor thanks to the chipotle pork.
Lime Chicken ChiliLime juice gives this chili a zesty twist, while canned tomatoes and beans make this easy and mess free. Top with tortilla strips for an extra crunch.
The post We Made Ree Drummond’s Pioneer Woman Chili Recipe, and Yes, It’s Perfect appeared first on Taste of Home.
- https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddrink/recipes/we-made-ree-drummond-s-pioneer-woman-chili-recipe-and-yes-it-s-perfect/ar-AA1n51jb?ocid=00000000
