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.
Fabulous recipe! I added baking cocoa and a tablespoon of espresso just for that mole experience, but on it’s own, it’s still delicious!
Loved this chili. Cut way down on cumin as husband isn’t a fan but the flavor is needed. Left out the sugar as tomato paste is sweet enough for us. Used my home canned tomatoes 1 quart. Taste excellent and quick to make.
Let me just say…I followed the recipe to the tea!!! The best chili ever! I made some cornbread to go with it! My fiancé loved it!
This was such a great and easy recipe!! It was a big hit with my family. Thank you!!
I made for a group I belong to any everyone loved it
A great recipe to have as the go-to chili recipe. Easy to make and delicious too. Definitely a repeater recipe in our house. Added a 2nd can of beans.
Loved this recipe, but next time I will not use the sugar. 2 TBSP is a lot — it does give a sweetness to the recipe. I paused when adding it, but I’m a firm believer in trying a recipe as it’s written the first time. If you do not like a sweet sauce, just eliminate.
I made the recipe exactly as written (without the cayenne pepper) and I really enjoyed it, however, it did seem a little heavy on the cumin. I will probably cut out a 1/2 tablespoon next time.
if I want to do 2 lbs of hamburger do I double all the other ingredients too?
I just made this for the first time and made a double batch. My only suggestion would be to use a little less cumin. I found it a little overwhelming, but the recipe is delish nonetheless!
I make this all the time with variations, everyone loves it. Things that I add:
* Bacon, pan-fried and using the grease
* 1 cup wine or beer
* Honey instead of sugar
Made it tonight and liked it. Will drain the fat off the meat next time and add extra cayenne. Anyone ever tried Pepper Jack Cheese with this? Over all I say five stars
This is very good, I left the cayenne out
I used Smoked Paprika by accident
Excellent recipe! Closest to my Mom’s and brings back wonderful memories! Easy to make and to double if needed. Left out cayenne pepper in case I will share with neighbor!
Love the recipe! I did tweak it a bit though. I think there was a bit too much cumin, so I added only half. I also added some brown sugar and sweet corn to the chili. Also tried adding in some breakfast sausage and it adds more flavor.
Best Chili ever! My family loved it! I followed the recipe but I just put less cumin in it and I tripled the ingredients because I have a big family. I will for sure be making this again in the near future ❤️
tastes great, next time I would leave out the sugar and double the amounts recipe as hard to find 15 oz cans of diced tomatoes and 8 oz cans of tomato sauce.
Great recipe, wife told me this time was better than the last time I made it. Last time I substituted tomatoes with Ro-Tel mild, this time I used regular Rotel along with mild and omitted the sugar.
Thank you I finally followed a recipe it’s delicious
This recipe is delicious. I cooked it last weekend and we enjoyed it so much that I’m making a double batch this weekend. That way I can have some to freeze and some to share.