Elevate your beef chili game with our Middle Eastern Beef Chili Recipe! We’re kicking things up a notch with warm spices, fava beans, and chickpeas. This hearty meal is a winter day champion, filling you up with warmth and flavor. Serve it solo or with a side of pita bread for an ultra-comforting dinner that’ll have you coming back for seconds!
Table of Contents
- Middle Eastern Beef Chili Recipe
- Ingredients You’ll Need
- How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Chili
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage and Freezing
- Can I Make this Beef Chili Recipe on the Stovetop?
- Common Questions about Middle Eastern Beef Chili
- More Comforting Recipes You’ll Love
- Middle Eastern Beef Chili Recipe Recipe
Middle Eastern Beef Chili Recipe
As soon as the temperatures begin to drop we find ourselves craving all of the warm, comforting dinners like roasted tomato soup, slow cooker potato soup, and, of course, chili! However, one of our favorite things to do is take our favorite classic recipes and give them a Middle Eastern flair. So, with fall in full swing, we thought it was only fitting that we gave our traditional beef chili recipe a bit of a makeover by adding in fava beans, chickpeas, and spices like cumin, paprika, and chili powder.
Honestly, it couldn’t have turned out more delicious! Warm, hearty, comforting, and super filling, it had all of our family members asking for more, and the leftovers tasted even better the next day. Plus, it’s loaded with protein and fiber to keep you full and satisfied and pairs perfectly with crackers, bread, and more. Budget-friendly and quick to make, it’s guaranteed to become a staple in your home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Adding a Middle Eastern twist to the traditional chili, this recipe brings in some extra deliciousness! Here’s the lineup of ingredients you’ll need to create this flavorful Middle Eastern Beef Chili:
- Meat – We use lean ground beef, but turkey or even chicken would work, too!
- Beans – A combination of fava beans and garbanzo beans (chickpeas) add a nice texture, tons of fiber, and a boost of plant-based protein.
- Herbs and Spices – Fresh garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, coriander, chili powder, cardamom, allspice, and bay leaves create a robust flavor that’s slightly spicy and completely irresistible!
- Veggies – Red pepper and yellow onion add extra nutrients.
- Broth – Low-sodium beef broth or stock helps thin out the ingredients, creating the best texture.
Note: Feel free to add a dollop of harissa paste for a little extra kick!
How to Make Slow Cooker Beef Chili
Get ready for a comfort food masterpiece, courtesy of your slow cooker! This beef chili recipe is about to make your life easier. Just follow the simple instructions below, and you’ll be in for a hearty, flavorful meal:
- Brown the meat: In a large pot on medium-high heat. Drain the fat, reduce the heat to medium, and continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Combine the ingredients: Add the cooked beef to the slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker, and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Serve: Divide the beef chili into bowls, add your toppings of choice, and serve warm.
Serving Suggestions
This beef chili tastes incredible all on its own, but toppings and sides always make things even better, right?! We love topping our bowls with extra chickpeas, fresh parsley, mint, feta cheese, and cucumber slices. It also pairs perfectly with cornbread, crackers, and no knead focaccia!
Storage and Freezing
One of the best make-ahead recipes, leftover chili can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Or, keep it in the freezer for up to 3 months!
When you’re ready to eat, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, warm it in the microwave, or place it back in the slow cooker or on the stovetop until it’s heated through.
Can I Make this Beef Chili Recipe on the Stovetop?
Sure! We haven’t tested it, but the process should be about the same. Just brown the beef in a large pot, add the ingredients, and let them simmer covered on low.
Common Questions about Middle Eastern Beef Chili
The Middle Eastern version stands out with its use of spices such as cumin, paprika, and coriander, along with the addition of fava beans and chickpeas. These ingredients impart a distinctive flavor and texture that set it apart from classic chili recipes.
Yes, Middle Eastern Beef Chili is perfect for meal prep. It stores well in the refrigerator for several days and can be reheated for quick and satisfying meals throughout the week.
Certainly! While beef is traditional, you can substitute ground lamb or turkey for a different flavor profile. Each meat brings its own unique taste to the dish, so feel free to experiment!
Yes, you can make a vegetarian version by omitting the meat and adding more legumes like lentils, additional chickpeas, or black beans. This ensures a protein-rich and hearty chili without the meat.
More Comforting Recipes You’ll Love
Hungry for more warmth and coziness in your meals? Take a peek at the family-favorite soup, stew, and chili recipes listed below.
- This Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili is budget-friendly, quick to make, and so tasty it will blow your mind.
- There’s nothing more satisfying than coming home to a hot Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast recipe!
- Perfect for fall and winter, this Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup couldn’t be easier to make!
- This Minestrone Soup is a homemade version of Olive Garden’s famous recipe that tastes just like the real deal.
- The Best Slow Cooker Chili you’ll ever taste, this hands-off recipe is hearty, filling, and perfect for busy days.
Middle Eastern Beef Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 16 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 16 ounce can fava beans beans, rinsed and drained
- 4 cloves minced garlic
- 1 small red bell pepper diced
- 1 medium yellow onion diced
- 2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth or stock
- 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt more or less to taste
- 3/4 teaspoon black pepper more or less to taste
- 3 teaspoon dried cumin
- 1 Tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 2 Tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 bay leafs
- Optional: 1-3 teaspoons Harissa paste
- Optional Toppings: chickpeas parsley, fresh mint, feta cheese, cucumber sauce
Instructions
- In a large pot on medium-high heat, add the ground beef. Cook until no longer pink, and drain the fat. Reduce the heat to medium, and continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.2 pounds lean ground beef
- Add the cooked beef to the slow cooker along with the rest of the ingredients – chickpeas, fava beans, garlic, bell pepper, onion, broth, tomatoes, salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, coriander, chili powder, cardamom, allspice, bay leaves, and Harissa, if using.1 16 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained, 1 16 ounce can fava beans beans, rinsed and drained, 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 small red bell pepper, 1 medium yellow onion, 2 1/2 cups low-sodium beef broth or stock, 1 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes, 1 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 3/4 teaspoon black pepper, 3 teaspoon dried cumin, 1 Tablespoon paprika, 2 teaspoons ground coriander, 2 Tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon ground cardamom, 1 teaspoon ground allspice, 2 bay leafs, Optional: 1-3 teaspoons Harissa paste
- Cover, and set the slow cooker on high for 2 hours or low for 5-6 hours.
- Serve warm, and enjoy!Optional Toppings: chickpeas
- Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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Nutrition
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Made the recipe as written, It was so tasty.
Thank you, Celeste! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
Made this today, it was great. I used navy beans. It was still very good. Thank for the recipe
We’re glad you were able to make it work for you and enjoyed it, Tammy!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa
We don’t have Fava beans at our local store, will kidney beans be a good substitute?
Cannellini beans might work better if you can find those!
Xo,
Alia & Radwa