Best 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.

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!

best chili recipe

The Best Chili Recipe (Award Winning!)

best chili recipe

This is the BEST Chili Recipe! Made with bacon (and the option to omit if necessary) and ground beef and simmered on the stove for just 30 minutes, this is my family’s go-to cold weather comfort food. It’s even better when paired with a side of buttermilk cornbread!

Prep: 10min

Total: 30min

Yield: 6

Serving Size: 1 serving (not including toppings)

Nutrition Facts: servingSize 1 serving (not including toppings), calories 611 kcal, Carbohydrate 72 g, Protein 40 g, Fat 19 g, Saturated Fat 4 g, Cholesterol 55 mg, Sodium 1315 mg, Fiber 11 g, Sugar 14 g, unSaturated Fat 1 g

Ingredients:

  • 5 strips uncooked bacon (chopped¹)
  • 1 large yellow onion (diced (about 1 cup))
  • 1 red pepper (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced (about 1 Tablespoon))
  • 1 lb ground beef ((455g) (I use 90% but any will work))
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder²
  • 1 Tablespoon ancho chili powder²
  • 1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ¾ teaspoons ground black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper³
  • 1 ¼ cup beef broth ((295ml))
  • 15 oz can dark red kidney beans (lightly rinsed and drained (425g))
  • 15 oz can black beans (lightly rinsed and drained (425))
  • 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes (undrained (411g))
  • 7- oz can fire roasted green chilis ((198g))
  • ¼ cup tomato paste ((66g))
  • 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Preferred toppings (particularly sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips)

Instruction:

  1. Place chopped (uncooked) bacon in a large pot or Dutch oven and cook over medium heat until crisp and cooked through. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate and drain all but 1 ½ Tablespoons of grease.
  2. Add onion and pepper and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
  4. Add beef, breaking apart with a spatula as you cook. Once meat is partially (about 50%) browned, add sugar and all spices (chili powders, paprika, cumin, onion powder, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper) and stir well.
  5. Add all remaining ingredients — beef broth, beans, tomatoes, tomato paste, chilis, and Worcestershire sauce — and your cooked bacon and stir well.
  6. Bring to a boil and cook 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently.
  7. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 30 minutes to allow flavor to really develop.
  8. Serve with preferred toppings (sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and corn chips are a must!)

The Best Classic Chili Recipe

best 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Add the chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. Stir until well combined.
  4. Add the broth, diced tomatoes (with their juice), drained beans, and tomato sauce. Stir well.
  5. 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.
  6. Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chili rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

The Best Chili Recipe

best chili recipe

This is the best chili recipe! A big pot of ground beef chili loaded with beef and beans is the perfect game day food!

Prep: 20min

Total: 65min

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 serving

Nutrition Facts: calories 395 kcal, Carbohydrate 27 g, Protein 29 g, Fat 17 g, Saturated Fat 6 g, Cholesterol 77 mg, Sodium 283 mg, Fiber 7 g, Sugar 6 g, servingSize 1 serving

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds lean ground beef
  • 1 onion (diced)
  • 1 jalapeno (seeded and finely diced)
  • 4 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 ½ tablespoons chili powder (divided (or to taste))
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 green bell pepper (seeded and diced)
  • 14 ½ ounces crushed tomatoes (canned)
  • 19 ounces kidney beans (canned, drained & rinsed)
  • 14 ½ ounces diced tomatoes (with juice)
  • 1 ½ cups beef broth
  • 1 cup beer
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
  • salt and pepper (to taste)

Instruction:

  1. Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder.
  2. In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat.
  3. Add in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness.
  4. Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favorite toppings.

This One Is For The Win: The Best Chili Recipe You’ll Ever Eat! @MrMakeItHappen

FAQ

What is the trick to a good chili?

Add a touch of sweetness

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?

Cinnamon, strong coffee, and dark chocolate all boost them meaty flavor in a good chili. Pick any of the following: 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 1 whole cinnamon stick, a shot of espresso, a small cup of strong coffee, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, or a few squares of good-quality dark chocolate.

What is the best ingredient to spice up chili?

Here are some of the most common (and most effective) flavor boosters to add to your chili recipe.
  • Fish Sauce. …
  • Worcestershire Sauce. …
  • Coffee or Espresso Powder. …
  • Chocolate. …
  • Sweet Spices. …
  • Peanut Butter. …
  • Molasses. …
  • Marmite or Vegemite.

How does Gordon Ramsay make chili?

INGREDIENTS
  1. 1 Large Onion ; Chopped.
  2. 2 Garlic cloves ; Finely chopped.
  3. 1 Red chilli ; Deseeded (or half seeds for spice)
  4. 2 Sprigs Thyme ; Leaves picked and roughly chopped.
  5. Olive oil ; for frying.
  6. 500 grams Good quality beef mince.
  7. 1 teaspoon ground cumin.
  8. 2 teaspoons sweet paprika.
About the author

Helen is an author and editor at helenbackcafe.com, who has a passion for writing about recipes. She loves to experiment with different ingredients and cooking techniques to create delicious and unique dishes.

Among all the foods, pizza holds a special place in her heart, and she loves exploring different variations and toppings to create the perfect slice. Through her writing, Helen hopes to inspire others to get creative in the kitchen and share their love for food with the world.

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