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Home » Recipes » Main Dish

Last Updated: Jun 25, 2023 by Angela Latimer · 1 Comment

Dutch Oven Chili

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Pin image with text of Dutch oven chili in a bowl with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream on top.

This Dutch oven chili is hearty, delicious, and jam-packed with tons of bold flavors, making it the ultimate comfort food! It's full of ground beef, fresh vegetables, beans, and homemade chili seasoning. Cook it low and slow on the stovetop or pop it into the oven for a simple and incredibly worthwhile dinner!

Best Dutch Oven Chili Recipe

Chili is one of my favorite comfort meals. It is easy to customize with your favorite spices or vegetables and it is always packed with tons and tons of bold flavors!

There are so many variations out there (take a look at my chili recipes here), all with their own unique twists and tastes. This Dutch oven chili is prepared in a Dutch oven (hence the name) and can be cooked either on the stovetop or in the oven!

Square image of Dutch oven chili in a bowl with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream on top.
This Dutch oven chili recipe is the best hearty chili to make!
Jump to:
  • Best Dutch Oven Chili Recipe
  • 🥘 Dutch Oven Chili Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Dutch Oven Chili
  • 🥗 Sides
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🌶️ More Hearty Chili Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

🥘 Dutch Oven Chili Ingredients

While this ingredient list may appear long and intimidating, it really isn't! This chili is loaded with fresh veggies, canned tomatoes, ground beef, beans, and tons of flavor!

  • Ground Beef - 2½ pounds of ground beef.
  • Onion - 1 large onion, diced. You can use yellow or white onions.
  • Red Bell Pepper - 1 large red bell pepper. Remove the seeds and then dice the pepper.
  • Anaheim Pepper - 1 large Anaheim pepper. Go ahead and take out the seeds and dice it up.
  • Jalapenos - 2 large jalapeno peppers that have had the seeds removed, finely diced.
  • Garlic - 1 tablespoon (about 3 cloves) of minced garlic.
  • Worcestershire Sauce - ¼ cup of Worcestershire sauce (or you can try a Worcestershire sauce substitute).
  • Beef Bouillon - 2 cubes of beef bouillon.
  • Beer - 12 ounces of light beer (like Coors or Miller Light). If you don't have any beer, you can use some more beef broth instead.
  • Crushed Tomatoes - 28 ounces of crushed tomatoes. I recommend using San Marzano tomatoes.
  • Diced Tomatoes - One 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes. I like to use fire-roasted tomatoes when making chili.
  • Tomato Paste - 1 tablespoon of tomato paste (or a tomato paste substitution).
  • White Wine - ½ cup of white wine. Use whichever variety of white wine that you enjoy cooking with. If you want to skip using wine, you can use more additional beef broth.
  • Chili Seasoning - 4 tablespoons of chili seasoning. Use my homemade recipe blend, or use your own.
  • Brown Sugar - 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (or try a brown sugar substitute).
  • Chipotle Pepper Sauce - 1 tablespoon of Chipotle pepper sauce.
  • Salt & Pepper - ½ teaspoon of both salt and pepper, to taste.
  • Beans - 32 ounces of dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed with cold water. Take a look at my post that covers everything you need to know about the best beans for chili here!
  • Chili Beans - One 16-ounce can of chili beans, drained and rinsed.
  • Cilantro or Green Onion (optional) - 3 tablespoons of cilantro, green onions, or parsley, chopped for garnish.

*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

🔪 How To Make Dutch Oven Chili

You can prepare this chili on the stovetop or let it cook in the oven to free up some stove space! To get started, you will need a Dutch oven, a wooden spoon, a cutting board, some knives, and your measuring utensils.

This recipe will make a large, hearty batch of about 12 servings of chili.

Prepare The Chili

  1. Brown. Place your Dutch oven onto the stovetop over medium heat and brown 2½ pounds (1.13 kilograms) of ground beef until no pink remains (about 5-7 minutes). Drain off any excess grease.
    *Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you are planning on cooking your chili in the oven.
  2. Add veggies. Add the 1 large white onion (150 grams), 1 large red bell pepper (164 grams), 1 large Anaheim pepper (56 grams), 2 large jalapeno peppers (28 grams), and 1 tablespoon (8 grams) of garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender.
  3. Deglaze. Add ¼ cup (59 milliliters) of Worcestershire sauce, 2 beef bouillon cubes (8 grams), and 12 ounces (340 milliliters) of light beer. Use a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom while you cook the mixture until hot.
  4. Combine. Add 28 ounces (794 grams) of crushed tomatoes, 14.5 ounces (411 grams) of diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon (170 grams) of tomato paste, ½ cup (118 milliliters) of white wine, 4 tablespoons (28 grams) of chili seasoning, 1 tablespoon (12 grams) of brown sugar, 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of chipotle pepper sauce, and ½ teaspoon (3 grams) of both salt and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.

Cook & Serve

  1. Stovetop Method: Let the mixture come up to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium-low. Place the lid onto the Dutch oven and let it simmer for 90 minutes while stirring occasionally.
    Oven Method: Place the lid onto the Dutch oven and transfer the pot into the preheated oven and cook for 30 minutes.
  2. Add beans. Stir in 32 ounces (907 grams) of dark red kidney beans and 16 ounces (453 grams) of chili beans and then let the chili simmer for another 30 minutes on the stovetop (or return it to the oven for another 30 minutes).
  3. Serve. Garnish your Dutch oven chili with 3 tablespoons (1.2 grams) of cilantro or green onions or parlsey, if desired, and serve immediately.

🥗 Sides

Pin image with text showing a bowl of chili..

A classic pairing for some hearty chili is some delicious homemade cornbread! Try out my sour cream cornbread, creamed corn cornbread, or Jiffy jalapeno cornbread!

Check out my post on what to serve with chili for some more tasty ideas! Enjoy!

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • For an alcohol-free version, you can use additional beef broth and just omit the beer and wine altogether. 
  • If you are sensitive to spice, you can reduce the number of jalapenos or leave them out. 
  • Give yourself enough time to let the flavors fully meld together! While the chili may be "cooked" pretty quickly, letting it simmer for the full amount of time will yield the most delicious chili.
Wide image of Dutch oven chili in a bowl with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream on top.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Let your chili cool entirely, and then place it into a sealed container to be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days.

Reheating Chili

Reheat leftover chili in short bursts using the microwave or on the stovetop of medium heat. 

Freezing Chili

Portion your chili into individual storage bags and squeeze out any remaining air. These bags can be frozen for a maximum of 3 months. When ready, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.

>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<

❓ Recipe FAQs

Can I Make Dutch Oven Chili Without Beans?

Sure! If you prefer to enjoy your chili with no beans, you can easily omit them. You can add extra ground beef or veggies if you prefer, or simply leave the beans out of the recipe.

Is Dutch Oven Chili Spicy?

One of the fantastic things about chili is how customizable it is! As written, this recipe does have some spice. However, you can leave out the jalapeno and Anaheim peppers to make it milder, adjust how much chili seasoning you are using, or reduce the chipotle pepper sauce. For more of a kick, simply increase the amount of these same ingredients!

Can I Use A Regular Pot Instead Of A Dutch Oven?

Of course, you will still be able to make this tasty chili in any pot you may have on hand. However, using a Dutch oven is recommended because it evenly distributes heat and retains it quite well.

Tall image of Dutch oven chili in a bowl with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream on top.

🌶️ More Hearty Chili Recipes

  • Cincinnati Chili - A unique version of chili that is popular in the Midwest and commonly served over spaghetti.
  • Chili Mac - Bold chili is combined with cheese and macaroni noodles for an all-in-one meal.
  • Chili Con Carne - An amazing chili option for potlucks, parties, and family gatherings.
  • Texas Chili - The perfect variation of chili for anyone who isn't a fan of beans.
  • Crockpot Chili - Prepare some hearty chili in a completely hands-off way!
  • Venison Chili - If you're a hunter and have some leftover venison in the freezer, then this is the chili for you!

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card

Wide image of Dutch oven chili in a bowl with grated cheddar cheese and sour cream on top.
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5 from 7 reviews

Dutch Oven Chili

This Dutch oven chili is hearty, delicious, and jam-packed with tons of bold flavors making it the ultimate comfort food! It's full of ground beef, fresh vegetables, beans, and homemade chili seasoning. Cook it low and slow on the stovetop or pop it into the oven for a simple and incredibly worthwhile dinner!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 445kcal
Prep 10 minutes minutes
Cooking 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes
Total Time 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 2½ lbs ground beef
  • 1 large white onion (diced, or use yellow onion)
  • 1 large red bell pepper (diced, seeds removed)
  • 1 large Anaheim pepper (seeds removed, diced)
  • 2 large jalapeno peppers (finely diced, seeds removed)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 beef bouillon cubes
  • 12 oz light beer (such as Coors, or use beef broth)
  • 28 oz crushed tomatoes (San Marzano are recommended)
  • 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (fire-roasted)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • ½ cup white wine (or use more beef broth)
  • 4 tablespoon chili seasoning (try my recipe or use your own)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper sauce
  • ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper (to taste)
  • 32 oz dark red kidney beans (2 16-ounce cans, drained and rinsed)
  • 16 oz chili beans (1 16-ounce can, drained and rinsed)
  • 3 tablespoon cilantro (optional, chopped for garnish - or use green onions or parsley)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Place your Dutch oven onto the stovetop over medium heat and brown 2½ lbs ground beef until no pink remains (about 5-7 minutes). Drain off any excess grease.
    *Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) if you are planning on cooking your chili in the oven.
  • Add the 1 large white onion, 1 large red bell pepper, 1 large Anaheim pepper, 2 large jalapeno peppers, and 1 tablespoon garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender.
  • Add ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce, 2 beef bouillon cubes, and 12 oz light beer. Use a wooden spoon to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom while you cook the mixture until hot.
  • Add the 28 oz crushed tomatoes, 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, ½ cup white wine, 4 tablespoon chili seasoning, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon chipotle pepper sauce, and ½ teaspoon each, salt & pepper. Stir until everything is well combined.
  • Stovetop Method: Let the mixture come up to a boil and then turn the heat down to medium-low. Place the lid onto the Dutch oven and let it simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    Oven Method: Place the lid onto the Dutch oven and transfer the pot into the preheated oven. Let it cook in the oven for 30 minutes.
  • Stir in the 32 oz dark red kidney beans and 16 oz chili beans and then let the chili simmer for an additional 30 minutes on the stovetop (or return it to the oven for another 30 minutes).
  • Garnish your Dutch oven chili with 3 tablespoon cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an alcohol-free version, you can use additional beef broth and just omit the beer and wine altogether. 
  • If you are sensitive to spice, you can reduce the number of jalapenos or leave them out. 
  • Give yourself enough time to let the flavors fully meld together! While the chili may be "cooked" pretty quickly, letting it simmer for the full amount of time will yield the most delicious chili.
  • To store: Let your chili cool entirely and then place it into a sealed container to be stored in the refrigerator for a maximum of 4 days.
  • To freeze: Portion your chili into individual storage bags and squeeze out any remaining air. These bags can be frozen for a maximum of 3 months. When ready, let it thaw in the fridge overnight.
  • To reheat: Reheat leftover chili in short bursts using the microwave or on the stovetop of medium heat. 

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal (22%) | Carbohydrates: 37g (12%) | Protein: 27g (54%) | Fat: 20g (31%) | Saturated Fat: 7g (44%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg (22%) | Sodium: 820mg (36%) | Potassium: 1175mg (34%) | Fiber: 10g (42%) | Sugar: 9g (10%) | Vitamin A: 1823IU (36%) | Vitamin C: 35mg (42%) | Calcium: 104mg (10%) | Iron: 7mg (39%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
« American Chop Suey
Haluski (Polish Fried Cabbage and Noodles) »

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    5 from 7 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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  1. Windy Rossi says

    January 19, 2025 at 5:49 pm

    5 stars
    Great recipe! Always looking for different ways to use my dutch oven. The flavor is amazing. I did not drain the chili beans though.

    Reply

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Author bio photo with cake.

Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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