The Best Classic Chili

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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.

The Best Classic Chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheese and sour cream

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.
onions and ground beef sautรฉing in a soup pot
  • Add chili powder, cumin, sugar, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and optional cayenne. 
  • Stir until well combined.
chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, sugar, salt, and pepper over browned beef and onions in a pot
  • Add diced tomatoes, kidney beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce. 
  • Stir well.
diced tomatoes over chili seasoned ground beef and onions in a soup pot
  • Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  • Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
beans, beef broth, and tomato sauce added to chili seasoned beef, onions, and tomatoes in a pot

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.

Find more of my recipes on TikTok

The best classic chili recipe in a red bowl topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream

The Best Classic Chili Recipe

4.96 from 3740 votes
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.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes

Video

Servings 6 servings
Calories 334 kcal

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

*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.
**I typically skip the cayenne pepper because I have a young kiddo. ย Then, I put out some hot sauce for those adults that want to add some spiciness to their chili.

Nutrition

Serving: 1/6th of the recipe | Calories: 334kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 1249mg | Potassium: 1110mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1445IU | Vitamin C: 12.8mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 7.5mg
Course Dinner, Entree, Main Course
Keyword best chili, chili recipe, classic chili, homemade chili
Cuisine American
Author Amanda Finks

Check out all of my great ground beef recipes.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My husband and I really like this recipe. We like to put chopped onions, sour cream and shredded cheddar on top. I ended up using too much diced tomatoes and sauce. But it still tasted great. I added an extra can of kidney beans and left off the cayenne pepper, since we both have acid reflux. I like the salt taste, my daughter is used to kosher or sea salt and they are not as strong. I suggest using those if the salt bothers you. Great recipe, thanks!!

  2. 5 stars
    This chili is the perfect classic chili. I add fresh garlic. The flavor is amazing. I make it often during this cold Midwest winter. Hearty and delicious.

  3. 5 stars
    Nice and ez tastes great!
    i used bone broth and marinara sauce and black beans because it was what I had in the pantry .

  4. 5 stars
    Very good recipe and so easy. I only put in half the cumin called for in the recipe – definitely need to do that or cumin will be overpowering to some.

    Also, I have a family of five. I increased the serving size from 6 to 9 and we still did not have enough for five meals. Next time I will increase serving size to 12 and weโ€™ll have enough.

    Otherwise, great job and thank you.

  5. 5 stars
    Easy, delicious recipe. Best chili recipe I have found. I didnโ€™t add the cayenne pepper. Highly recommend.

  6. 5 stars
    Excellent and Simple Recipe which yields amazing results. I substituted the can of diced tomatoes with a can of Rotel. and also added a half can of white/yellow corn. just personal preference. Served it over some fresh backed corn bread and man did it hit the spot. Thank you

  7. 5 stars
    Great flavor. Iโ€™m not a huge fan of cumin but I didnโ€™t think it was overpowering. Only thing is the recipe for 1 lb says it serves 6โ€ฆit really serves like 3-4 if you are eating this as your whole entree (at least in my family).

  8. 5 stars
    My family raves about this chili! I have been cooking for 43 years and this without a doubt the best Iโ€™ve ever made. I just added some cut up steamed baby carrots to tone down the acid. Thanks for sharing this delightful recipeโค๏ธ

  9. 5 stars
    Amazing!!! It is an easy, no fuss recipe. I substituted the chilli powder for mild chilli powder as have an 11yr old whoโ€™s just starting to explore with spice. Itโ€™s got depth and flavour without being spicy hot. You still get the warmth and comfort, which is exactly what you want from a good chilli. Definitely will be making again using this from now on.
    Thank you for sharing.

About Amanda Finks

Iโ€™m a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Zionsville, IN. Iโ€™m an avid cook, travel nerd, & lover of good food! Iโ€™m trained in Food Science & recipe development. Itโ€™s my mission to bring you the BEST recipes your whole family will love!

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