Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Chili Recipe

This Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Chili Recipe is a hearty and savory recipe, which is made with ground beef and kidney beans. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about 45 minutes.

Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Chili Recipe Ingredients

For the Chili:

• 5 pounds ground beef
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, finely diced
• One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
• One 14.5-ounce can kidney beans, drained
• One 6-ounce can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin

For Serving:

• 3 good-quality hamburger buns
• 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar
• Thin Fries (recipe follows), optional

For the Thin Fries:

• 10 large russet potatoes
• Vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
• Sea salt

How To Make Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Chili

1. Form and cook the patties: Divide the ground beef in half. Form one half into 6 thin patties, and season them with salt and pepper. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, fry the patties over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove the patties and set them aside.
2. Cook the chili base: In the same skillet, add the remaining half of the ground beef, the minced garlic, and the diced onion. Season with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking up the meat, until it is browned. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Simmer the chili: Stir in the diced tomatoes, drained kidney beans, tomato paste, chili powder, and cumin. Bring the mixture to a bubble, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes for the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
4. Assemble and serve: To serve, place the bottom half of each hamburger bun on six individual plates. Place one cooked patty on each bun half. Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese evenly over the patties. Ladle the hot chili generously over the top of each cheeseburger patty. Serve immediately, with Thin Fries if desired.

How To Make Thin Fries

1. Prep the potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin sticks. Place the potato sticks in a large bowl of cold water and swish them around to release excess starch. Drain and repeat the process until the water runs clear. Cover the rinsed potatoes with fresh water and let them soak for at least 2-3 hours (or up to 3 days in the fridge).
2. First fry (blanching): When ready to cook, drain the potatoes and dry them thoroughly with paper towels. Heat a few inches of oil in a heavy pot to 300°F. Working in batches, fry the potatoes for about 1 minute per batch. They should be soft but not browned. Remove and drain on clean paper towels.
3. Second fry (crisping): Increase the oil temperature to 400°F. Fry the blanched potatoes in batches again, this time for 1-2 minutes, until they are golden brown and crisp.
4. Season and serve: Remove the fries from the oil, drain on fresh paper towels, and sprinkle immediately with sea salt.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the best chili flavor: Letting the chili simmer for at least 20 minutes is key. This allows all the spices and ingredients to meld together for a richer, deeper flavor.
• Can I make this chili in a slow cooker? Yes. Brown the patties and the ground beef mixture on the stovetop as directed. Transfer the ground beef chili base (without the patties) to a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Prepare the patties and assemble just before serving.
• What’s the best beef for chili? Using an 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef will provide enough fat for great flavor. Be sure to drain the excess grease after browning to prevent the chili from being too oily.
• Why soak the fries? Soaking the cut potatoes in cold water removes excess starch from the surface. This is the secret to getting fries that are wonderfully crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

What To Serve With Cheeseburger Chili

This is a very hearty meal, especially when served with the homemade fries. Other great toppings include:

• A dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• Sliced jalapeños
• Chopped fresh cilantro
• Extra diced onion

How To Store Cheeseburger Chili

Refrigerate: Store the leftover chili separately from the patties and buns. The chili will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze: The chili freezes beautifully. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Cheeseburger Chili Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 750kcal
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 45g
• Fat: 50g
• Saturated Fat: 20g
• Sodium: 1200mg
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 8g

Nutrition information is estimated per serving and does not include the optional Thin Fries.

FAQs

Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:

• Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Wontons Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Bacon Cheeseburger Dip Recipe
• Pioneer Woman Cheeseburger Salad Recipe