The Best Classic Chili is a traditional chili recipe 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.
I’ve been playing around with this 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!
How To Make Homemade Chili
Note: This is a summary. The full printable recipe and step by step video are located at the bottom of this post.
- Heat olive in a large soup pot.
- Add chopped onion and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon.
- Cook for 6-7 minutes.
- Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne.
- Stir until well combined.
- Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce.
- Stir well.
- Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
- Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
What do you top chili with?
In addition to the chili ingredients listed in this recipe, you may also want to have these things as toppings.
- shredded cheddar cheese
- sour cream
- sliced green onions
- saltine crackers or oyster crackers
- diced avocado
How To Store
Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or, store in the freezer for up to three months. Transfer the container to the refrigerator to thaw the day before you want to reheat it.
Pro Tip – Is It Too Spicy?
The brand of chili powder you use will have a huge difference in how spicy your chili will be. Different brands of chili powder have VERY different levels of spiciness.
I always use McCormick Chili Powder (No affiliation) because it is flavorful without being spicy.
More Great Chili Recipes
Find more of my recipes on TikTok
The Best Classic Chili Recipe
Video
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
Instructions
- 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.
Notes
Nutrition
Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.
Make this for our family get together the only think I did different when I doubled the recipe was instead of added 2 packages of ground beef I used a package of Italian hot sausage it was really good.
I am not great at cooking, but I decided to try the recipe and it came out perfectly. Super easy and hit the spot.
Very simple to make. I usually make my own version, but decided to try this out. It’s was surprisingly very good. I think I’ll use it from now on. My wife actually liked it better than mine. There is only 2 of us and it’s perfect for a couple of meals. The only thing I added for me was some diced onions and a little diced jalapeños on top. It was perfect if you like a little more spice than most
Very good
I have this recipe saved for good reason! Very tasty and it’s easy to tweak for taste.
Hey this recipe sounds great! Could I make it in the crockpot?
I just made this in the crock pot and it came out great 😊 just cook the ground meat and onion first then drain and add to all other ingredients in the pot. I put it on low for a couple hours or you can put it on high for an hour and it is delicious 😋
Best chili recipe I’ve ever made. I had all of the ingredients on hand. Threw in a 1/4 cup of frozen diced pepper. Left out the cayenne as I prefer less heat. Just enough for 2 person household. Thank you for sharing this.
I cook a great deal and this chili recipe is the BEST. I have never commented on a recipe until now, but because it was SO good, I felt I must say something. What surprised me most, was that I followed the recipe exactly and the seasoning proportions were perfect. Often, that is not the case. The only thing different is that I used my home-canned tomatoes instead of paste. I recommend this recipe to everyone and I am printing it off to keep in my recipe files.
I rarely we’ve comments about recipes! This was outstanding! 100% the best chili! I canal throughout all other chili recipes I finally found some thing I love! Thank you so much for creating this
I’m just been an ordinary cook but now I have the time to be a little more creative the chili turned out great family enjoyed it I liked the directions the pictures easy to follow indirect I don’t like improvising thank you
This recipe is great as is. I have made a couple adjustments to experiment and it also turned out great! For those who might like to try…
omit the sugar, I did a very small sprinkle of cayenne, add a dash of cinnamon (adds a “warmth” that I appreciate on cold days) , 1 can kidney beans, 1 can of pinto, 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (my “secret ingredient” for chili!…adds a great depth of flavor). Served with tortilla chips. Enjoy and happy cooking!
I also added about a cup of water.
Wow this chilli recipe is so simple yet delicious. I followed this recipe but substituted the ground beef for lean ground lamb from New Zealand and used a Vidalia onion. I let it simmer for an hour to develop a rich broth and served it with fresh baguettes. We finished the pot and my husband asked me to make it again tomorrow.
Delicious! I made it for my family and it was a huge hit! Would make it again
Love this chili recipe. Made it the way you described and it tastes delicious. I usually keep all the ingredients in my cabinet just so I’m a mood for chili just go buy the beef. Thanks!!
Loved it! Will maybe use a little less sugar next time.
Can you use chicken broth instead of beef?
Yes! I used because thats all I had in the freezer (I make the broth myself from the carcass of a store bought roasted chicken).
It tasted great!!! Great recipe!!! Just like moms!!
I did 🤷🏾♀️ Tasted great
For what it’s worth, my husband made this with chicken broth and it was good.
That was exactly my question, since I have a ton of chicken broth and no beef broth handy! Thank you so much for the comment!
My family and I love this recipe and we love cayenne, even the kids but I cook with it a lot so we leave it in. I also add diced up belle peppers in ours😋
This has become my go to for chili. This ticks all the boxes and I’ve had rave reviews from the family.
Too much cumin, assuming it is a typo. Wish i read the comments before! Otherwise would have been perfect. I also added green pepper and corn 😊
I stopped eating Flour and Sugar 8 weeks ago. I made this chili minus the sugar and it is amazing!! Just the right amount of seasoning. It is fast and delicious! Something I can meal prep for the week and not get burned out on it. 5 Stars for taste and easy prep!!
I make this and then put it in the Instant Pot and select the chili button to let it all pressurize together.
Great recipe I made a few tweaks to my liking and added hot sausage for the kick!
Did you do the sausage in place of hamburger, or with?
loved it!!!Quick and easy
How many person does it series