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.
Turned out great! will definitely try this again.
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!!
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.
Can I use 2 cans of tomato sauce instead of diced tomatoes?
First time making chili and this recipe was perfect!! My family loved it!!
Can this be made in a crockpot? If so what would the instructions be?
What is meant by tomato sauce? Marinara?
This recipe is great!! Best chili I;ve had in years
Nice and ez tastes great!
i used bone broth and marinara sauce and black beans because it was what I had in the pantry .
Delicious and quick! I would def recommend this recipe!
It truly is the best chili recipe I have tried! Great job!!!
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 weโll have enough.
Otherwise, great job and thank you.
Easy, delicious recipe. Best chili recipe I have found. I didnโt add the cayenne pepper. Highly recommend.
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
I didn’t have tomato paste; instead I used chopped fresh tomatoes and marinara sauce. It tastes awesome.
Best Chili I ever made! Everyone Loved it and had seconds!
Great flavor. Iโm not a huge fan of cumin but I didnโt think it was overpowering. Only thing is the recipe for 1 lb says it serves 6โฆit really serves like 3-4 if you are eating this as your whole entree (at least in my family).
I love this Chilli, fixed it for the first time.
My family raves about this chili! I have been cooking for 43 years and this without a doubt the best Iโve ever made. I just added some cut up steamed baby carrots to tone down the acid. Thanks for sharing this delightful recipeโค๏ธ
Amazing!!! It is an easy, no fuss recipe. I substituted the chilli powder for mild chilli powder as have an 11yr old whoโs just starting to explore with spice. Itโs 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.