Hearty Beef Chili with Bacon Pimento Cornbread Muffins
🌶️ Beef Chili Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb (450 g) ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (400 g) diced tomatoes
1 can (400 g) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp tomato paste
1½ cups beef broth (or water)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Toppings (optional but recommended):
Shredded cheddar cheese
Sour cream
Sliced jalapeños
Chopped green onions
🌶️ Chili Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onion and cook for 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, kidney beans, and beef broth.
- Season with chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
🧁 Bacon Pimento Cornbread Muffins
Ingredients
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup melted butter
½ cup cooked bacon, crumbled
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
¼ cup pimento peppers, chopped
🧁 Muffin Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk milk, egg, and melted butter.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients.
- Fold in bacon, cheddar cheese, and pimentos.
- Spoon batter into a greased muffin tin.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes until golden.
- Brush tops with butter if desired.
🍽️ Serve
Serve the hot chili topped with cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and green onions, alongside warm bacon pimento cornbread muffins.