Now that we have all our ingredients ready, let’s get started on making this tasty beef chili with beans. Follow these steps to ensure a perfect result:

1. Heat the Olive Oil: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until it becomes translucent.
2. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute, making sure not to burn it.
3. Brown the Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high and add the ground beef to the pot. Cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until it is browned and cooked through. This should take about 7-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
4. Add Spices: Lower the heat to medium and stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 minutes to allow the spices to toast and release their flavors.
5. Incorporate Tomatoes and Beans: Add the diced tomatoes, kidney beans, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, sugar, and bay leaf to the pot. Stir well to combine.
6. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for at least 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
7. Adjust Seasoning: Before serving, taste the chili and adjust the seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf.