The Best Classic Chili – This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
This classic chili is perfect for a weeknight meal because it can be made in minutes. The only thing to chop is an onion.
In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe for chili, you may also want to have these things as toppings.
I’ve been playing around with this chili recipe for the past few months, making it many times. My family didn’t mind the repetition at all because I really do believe that I ended up with the best chili ever!
The Best Classic Chili Recipe
The Best Classic Chili – This traditional chili recipe is just like mom used to make with ground beef, beans, and a simple homemade blend of chili seasonings.
Prep: 5min
Total: 30min
Yield: 6
Serving Size: 1 /6th of the recipe
Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 /6th of the recipe, calories 334 kcal, Carbohydrate 34 g, Protein 25 g, Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Cholesterol 49 mg, Sodium 1249 mg, Fiber 9 g, Sugar 10 g
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (-diced)
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper* (-optional)
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 (15 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (16 oz.) can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
Instruction:
- Add the olive oil to a large soup pot and place it over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the ground beef to the pot. Break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook for 6-7 minutes, until the beef is browned, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
- Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
- Bring the liquid to a low boil. Then, reduce the heat (low to medium-low) to gently simmer the chili, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Easy Chili Recipe
This easy chili recipe is a classic meal that can be made on the stovetop or in the Crock Pot! This savory chili sauce is loaded with juicy ground beef, beans, bell peppers, tomatoes, and the best flavor enhancers.
Prep: 10min
Total: 70min
Yield: 9
Serving Size: 1 serving
Nutrition Facts: calories 295 kcal, Carbohydrate 26 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 9 g, Saturated Fat 3 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 62 mg, Sodium 660 mg, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 8 g, unSaturated Fat 6 g, servingSize 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 yellow onion (diced)
- 2 lbs. ground beef (90% lean)
- Salt/pepper
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
- 1 jalapeno pepper (seeded and diced)
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth (see notes)
- 1 cube beef bouillon (or 1 tsp better than bouillon)
- 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 14.5 oz. diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 16 oz. Kidney Beans (drained)
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Each: ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, mustard powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
- Shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, lime wedges, and Fritos or tortilla chips.
Instruction:
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and let them soften for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally. (This allows them to release their natural sugars which is a nice offset to the acidity from the tomatoes. They also are very soft and subtle in the chili.)
- Season the ground beef with salt and pepper. Increase heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and cook and crumble it for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and bell/jalapeno peppers and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Drain excess grease. Add the seasonings and toss to coat. Add the tomato paste, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Toss to season and coat the beef evenly.
- Add the chicken broth and use a silicone spatula to “clean” the bottom and sides of the pot.
- Add the beef bouillon, crushed tomatoes, and diced tomatoes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
- Cover partially and simmer for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally to lift any meat that has settled to the bottom. Stir in the drained kidney beans and simmer for 15 more minutes or until desired consistency is obtained.
- Taste and add seasonings as needed. Let it rest for 5 minutes prior to serving (with cornbread!), it will thicken even further.
Easy Chili
Look no further for the ultimate, easy chili recipe. You may think you know how to make chili, but our homemade chili recipe is a gamechanger. With just a push of a button, your weekday dinner is taken care of as the chili cooks away in the slow-cooker. Add chili to your next barbeque to top grilled sausages for an upgraded version of chili dogs. You can easily substitute ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter option and the rest of the ingredients should already be stocked away in your pantry. To top the hot, spicy chili, add shredded Cheddar cheese and corn chips for extra flavor and texture. To go beyond our favorite classic recipe, find more chili recipes here.
Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (16-ounce) cans red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 2 (14-1/2-ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 2 to 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instruction:
- Cook first 4 ingredients in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until beef crumbles and is no longer pink; drain. Place mixture in 5-quart slow cooker; stir in beans and remaining ingredients. Cook at HIGH 3 to 4 hours or at LOW 5 to 6 hours.
- Notes: If you want to thicken this saucy chili, stir in finely crushed saltine crackers until the desired thickness is achieved.
Classic Chili
This easy beef chili recipe is perfect for wintery nights. With kidney beans, tomato paste, and ground beef, this classic chili will become your new go-to.
Prep: 10min
Total: 40min
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Nutrition Facts: calories 451 Calories, Fat 28 g, Saturated Fat 10 g, Trans Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 85 mg, Sodium 806 mg, Carbohydrate 18 g, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 9 g, Protein 27 g
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 large white onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 1/2 lb. ground beef
- 1 1/2 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 (28-oz.) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-oz.) can kidney beans, drained
- Shredded cheddar, sour cream, and sliced scallions, for serving
Instruction:
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add tomato paste, stirring to coat vegetables. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, about 7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Add chili powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, and cayenne (if using); generously season with salt and black pepper. Pour in tomatoes and beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors have melded and liquid is slightly reduced, about 20 minutes; season with salt and black pepper, if needed.
- Ladle chili into bowls. Top with cheese, sour cream, and scallions.
World’s GREATEST Chili Recipe – SO EASY!!
FAQ
What is the trick to a good chili?
Chili is rich, deep and often spicy, so adding a sweet ingredient is a great way to create balanced flavor. We’ve found that adding diced carrots is the easiest way to add natural sweetness, but you can also use vegetables like sweet potatoes or winter squash.
What gives chili the best flavor?
What is the best ingredient to spice up chili?
- Fish Sauce. …
- Worcestershire Sauce. …
- Coffee or Espresso Powder. …
- Chocolate. …
- Sweet Spices. …
- Peanut Butter. …
- Molasses. …
- Marmite or Vegemite.
Do you make chili onions or meat first?