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.
Yes! Excellent. Minor tweaks like using fire roasted tomatoes and no sugar, but other than that followed pretty closely.
it was very good and easy to make! I did not add the sugar, and did add 1 can of drained black bean! Will make again and again!
Really outstanding. I had to make some changes, using stew meat instead of ground beef and therefore used the slow cooker. Also used fire-roasted tomatoes and cut the sugar in half. But even with those changes I think the recipe as written would still be amazing. Highly recommended.
Very good flavor. Will make again.
Definitely my go to chilli recipe, in fact I have to double it because my grown kids want some too!!
My WHOLE family LOVE this recipe!!!!!
Thank you.
Made chili for the first time last NYE and it turned out super good. Everyone at home loved it!
I do use packaged chili seasoning and it works well except it is a bit spicier than measuring out separate spices. Other than that I use the same ingredients. My beef is leaner 96 or 93 %… it really is delicious… and even better the next day!
Craving chili for this chilly day. Found this recipe and loved all the ingredients. Made pretty much to the T. Except did not have paste so I used a little ketchup. Used Rotel diced chilis and tomatoes and a little extra chili powder. . We love hot. Topped with sour cream, cheese and white onions. Love, love👍🏻
Delicious and easy to make. It’s our permanent chili recipe now!
My husband asked me to make my famous chili. 😳 I’ve alwaysed used pre-made packages. Today I used this delicious recipe, and we both live it! ❤😋
Best chili I ever eaten!!! Every seasonings was perfect amount, I just added 1 teaspoon sugar, don’t pay attention to the people who have always taste problems. Good job with your recipe! Thank you! It’s a keeper!
My husband always says “this is your best yet!” every time I use this recipe 🤣. I absolutely love this recipe! It’s basic, fast, and not complicated. I’m just wondering if u would have to change anything (like add more broth) if u were to cook it in an instapot 🤔. Can u try it and lmk? Lol thanks!
I was wondering if could use sour cream &chive mashed potatoes instead of just sour cream then continue to top with what ever toppings.cheese ,bacon, jalapeños
I found this recipie quite by accident. Made it and my mom LOOOOVED IT!
For me, that’s the ticket we had it with cornbread!
Thank you whomever is the poster if this delicious chili
This first time I made it it was way too sweet, but the other flavors were spot on. So I made it again with just 2 teaspoons of sugar and it was great! This is now my go to chili recipe.
BEST CHILI EVER! This is my go to recipe and my boyfriend and I LOVE IT! Very simple and followed the directions to a T.
This was the best chilli recipe I’ve ever tried! So quick and easy. Tasted delicious 😋
This was quick and easy and delicious. I had to substitute cannelini (white kidney) beans for red kidney bean and I did not drain them — all in!. I halved the cumin and the cayenne after reading comments. The five minute resting was essential to it becoming less soupy. Served with the great cornbread linked in the site.
Awesome! I cooked it exactly as described and it was great!
The best chili recipe! I leave out the optional cayenne. I use petite diced stewed tomatoes that come pre-seasoned in the can with cracked black pepper and olive oil. Top with sour cream and shredded old cheddar. Delish!
Made it for 14 men. My husband said they loved it and was gone in no time. I really liked using beef broth instead of tomato juice.
Just made this for dinner & my boyfriend & I both thought it turned out great!