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Easy Cheesy Black Bean Chili (With a Secret Ingredient!)

Published on September 9, 2023 by Sarah Troester
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This easy recipe for black bean chili is cheesy and delicious goodness that’s perfect for a crowd. Made with simple ingredients (including one that is family passed down) that come together for a stress-free meal prep or game day pleaser. This amazing chili recipe is a fall and winter staple in our household!

It is my humble opinion that everyone needs a solid chili recipe when entering these cold, yet comforting months that fall and winter bring us. A recipe that can feed a crowd when entertaining guests on the weekends and one that can be easily doubled for incredible leftovers to eat throughout the week. This cheesy black bean chili is that go-to, in your pocket recipe that you’ve been waiting for! It’s delicious, nutritious and so comforting.

I know how challenging it can be to find time to cook a wholesome and delicious meal while juggling multiple responsibilities. Let this easy cheesy black bean chili take a load off your shoulders. It’s a hearty and flavorful dish that is absolutely perfect for those chilly nights when you need a quick and comforting meal on the table.

what’s the secret ingredient?

This amazingly delicious recipe only gets better with one secret ingredient: apple cider vinegar! Once introduced by my grandmother, I will never make another chili recipe without the addition of this sweet and tangy goodness. It’s also a perfect subtle complement to the flavors that the season of fall brings us. So, gather your family around the table, savor every bite, and enjoy the satisfaction of a homemade meal that nourishes both your body and soul.

Shall we get started?

ingredients

To make this easy, delicious, and comforting black bean chili recipe you’ll need a few ingredients that you can get at almost any grocery store or even online!

Here’s what we are working with:

  • olive oil
  • ground beef
  • onion
  • black beans
  • crushed tomatoes
  • garlic powder
  • italian seasoning
  • smoked paprika
  • ground cumin
  • chili powder
  • apple cider vinegar
  • cheddar cheese

how to make cheesy black bean chili in 4 steps

  1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef; cook and stir until slightly browned. Add onion and cook until onion has softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  2. Stir in beans, tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and apple cider vinegar. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until flavors are well blended, about 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
  3. Turn off heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until fully combined and melty.
  4. Drizzle over melted queso or additional cheddar cheese, if desired.

what can I serve with cheesy black bean chili?

There are so many delicious options to serve with cheesy black bean chili! You can serve this chili recipe over rice, alongside crispy tortilla chips, or with fresh avocado and cilantro.

Our absolute favorite complement to this chili recipe is a mini corndog muffin! Grab the recipe here! A classic combination, and the perfect sweetness of cornbread with the smokiness of a lil smokie cocktail sausage pairs amazingly well with the savory flavors of this chili recipe.

can you meal prep black bean chili?

Yes! This easy black bean chili recipes makes the best leftovers and also freezes well. This recipe is a quick and easy meal that comes together in one pan which means more time for you to enjoy you weekend without a whole lot of time spent meal prepping. Simply divide this recipe into 4 meal prep containers.

The flavors in this recipe have time to meld together, allowing all that goodness to absorb even more as leftovers. You will be set for the week with this meal. When I meal prepped this cheesy black bean chili recipe, I added my favorite chili con queso dip for additional cheesiness; it was so good! Chili is a fantastic option for a complete, quick, and satisfying meal prep.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes. 

Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family favorite recipe. 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.

Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!

ENJOY!

Easy Cheesy Black Bean Chili (With a Secret Ingredient!)

  • LCLow Carb
  • SFSugar Free
This easy recipe for black bean chili is cheesy and delicious goodness that’s perfect for a crowd. Made with simple ingredients (including one that is family passed down) that come together for a stress-free meal prep or game day pleaser. This amazing chili recipe is a fall and winter staple in our household!
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 3 (15 ounce) cans black beans, undrained
  • 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cups cheddar cheese

Instructions 

  • Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef; cook and stir until slightly browned. Add onion and cook until onion has softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in beans, tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, and apple cider vinegar. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer until flavors are well blended, about 20-30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Turn off heat and stir in the cheddar cheese until fully combined and melty.
  • Serve with fresh avocado, sour cream, and/or additional cheese, if desired.

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to tag thetastefultribe on instagram @thetastefultribe if you try this cheesy black bean chili with apple cider recipe. We love seeing your version of the recipe! You can also post your pictures to our facebook page!