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.
This is the first time I changed my routine chili recipe. This was so easy, and didn’t go overboard with ingredients. Thank you!😌
I cooked dry kidney beans and added an extra cup of water. Everything else was the same. 10/10 would definitely recommend this recipe!
It really is the perfect chili recipe!! Thank you for sharing!!
This is my favorite chili recipe! Thank you for sharing it. p.s. I’m also a dietitian!
Finally, a “best” chili recipe that is actually the best! I followed the directions as written and watched it quickly disappear to the delight of my friends. Great chili!
This recipe was great on its own but I served leftovers on a baked potato with some cheddar cheese, sour cream and chopped scallions. It was delish
Used Moose burger & it turned out very yummy with a nice tomato flavor.
So, I had a family coming over for dinner one night, and I wanted to try something new… (I know, not the best idea 🙂 I had some cornbread on hand, and I wanted to use it up, and you know nothing beats a good old chili and cornbread dinner, right? I personally am not a huge fan of chili, but the family that was coming over likes ground beef, a lot. So, I decided to try this, what could go wrong, right? I was right!!!! They loved, i loved it, my husband loved it, and even my pickiest little girl loved it!! I was so happy; I am definitely going to be using this in the future! Best chili recipe this side of the Mississippi, 100%
Just tried your recipe and was pleased with the full flavor. I will definitely be trying this again! Thanks!
This is the best chili ever! It is dark and has depth of flavors. Made it with ground turkey and upped the heat. Going right now into my recipe box and deleting the myriad of other chili recipes! That’s how good this is. Oh and only chopping is 1 onion 🙂
I had to sub chicken broth, left out the sugar but used a can of paste instead of 2 tbsp. It was still awesome!! And very easy!
Next time Id prob use dried beans from scratch to cut out some sodium. And stew my own tomatoes (same reason). And the time after that I might try ground turkey. Add some fresh garlic (w the onion), wortcheshier sauce and add chia seeds at the end just for health. But first I want to try the original (when i buy beef broth). Thank you!!!
Very simple and delicious!!
A simple, no fail recipe that always provides excellent results. Add a tiny amount of cinnamon (I know it sounds crazy, but trust me, maybe a quarter of a teaspoon)
I omitted the cayenne pepper & this recipe was not spicy at all; my daughter liked it! I like chili spicy, so I added hot sauce. Easy, great recipe; not too spicy.
Yo this gal can cook! I’d give it a 6 star if I could. All her meals are so yummy but super basic with a short prep time. I’d recommend checking all her deliciousness on TikTok for sure! #DEBOMB.COM!!!
This was by far the best chili i have ever eaten and im from south Texas. Im taking all the credit at my house but we know youre the master behind the design. Thanks for making me proud of myself lol.
Really good 😊 love it will be making again
Delicious and super easy to prepare.
I was on the search for a chili without using tomato juice. I came across this recipe and made it for supper tonight. We loved it! It has an excellent ratio of spices, especially chili powder and cumin. It’s a nice thick chili. My husband usually adds additional chili powder to his chili but didn’t need it with this. This recipe has been marked as a favorite in my Recipe Keeper. Thanks for a great recipe.
I just made this with ground turkey….DELICIOUS!!!!!!! Thanx for sharing this recipe 😉
Great recipe, I’ve made and eaten multiple times each time with pleasure. You can’t be disappointed, it is outstanding
I did the chili Sunday it was so awesome and delicious my family loved it. But for me the best part was the easiness of the recipe and the quick time.
Thank you Daisy
I’ve always been a member of Allrecipe but now I’m trying Wholesome dishes
I did it today, delicious!!! This recioe is a keeper!!! Thanks!!!
Tried the recipe all perfect….and great tasting maybe it’s my palate but I most definitely tasted the sugar….so i made savory cornbread to balance it all out….will keep this bookmarked as one of my favs
I agree. This is a keeper. I needed something that would go well with some leftover cornbread and this did the trick. I didn’t want to stop eating lol.